Jagged Hearts by Lacey Thorn

that.”
    Bare knew he was right. This was a huge deal. It was a step in Paisley taking back her life, living again. Bare worried it was too much too fast. She’d gone from deep grief and denial to sex with him and a press conference. He couldn’t shake the fear that it would all come crashing down around them, and he’d lose her again. He didn’t have another long wait in him, not after the taste she’d given him.
    “She’ll be okay,” Tuck said.
    “You don’t know that,” Bare argued.
    “She’s strong,” Jamison said. “She always has been. She forgot that. Hell, I think I did, as well.” He glanced at Bare, holding his gaze. “I’m not sure what’s going on between you two, but whatever it is, I hope it continues.” He shook his head and turned to walk over to the windows, though he didn’t so much as open the blinds to look out. “When I left her here to try to change Vivian’s mind about coming, about throwing Paisley to the wolves we’ve held at bay for five fucking years, I was terrified. I knew I’d lose her completely. Thought for sure this would send her so far inside herself I’d lose any chance of getting my daughter back—ever. But the Paisley I saw yesterday… God, Bare. She took my breath away. I wanted to kill you for driving that bike in here and skidding to a stop. Then I wanted to hug you when she laughed. She laughed , and her smile lit the whole room. I’d sell my soul to see that every day for the rest of my life.” He turned back to Bare. “So whatever it is between you two, don’t fuck it up.”
    “I’m in love with her,” Bare admitted.
    “I know,” Jamison said.
    “Hell, we’ve all known that,” Gilly interrupted. “Maybe now, you won’t always be moping around when I see you.”
    “Fuck you,” Bare said, but a grin tugged his lips.
    Gilly smiled. “Not that kind of family.”
    “So, Gilly,” Tuck said. “Now that we have you here, how about a tour?”
    “I’m not coming to work for Knight’s,” Gilly said. “I have the bar.”
    “You have your hands in more than that,” Jamison countered. “Imagine what you could accomplish if you had all of this behind you, as well.”
    “You offering to work for me, Jamison?” Gilly asked.
    Jamison laughed. “Not even on a bet, but we can come to some arrangement. I can filter some vetted guys your way when you need the extra hands.”
    Bare glanced back and forth between the two of them, waiting to see what Gilly would say.
    “We can talk after the conference,” Gilly finally said.
    Jamison just nodded. Then all conversation ceased as the door opened and Paisley stepped in. She was gorgeous, looking as if she’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine. This was the Paisley who’d grown up in LA, the one who knew her way around a camera. This was the actress, Paisley Ames, the one the entertainment world loved. He wanted to grab her, hug her close, but he was afraid to muss her up. Paisley had no such fears. She walked right up to him, and when she leaned into his side, his arm wrapped her against him. She held her face up, and he dropped a kiss on her lips.
    “You ready for this?” he asked.
    “No,” she answered and gave a shaky laugh. “But it’s time. Will you go with me?”
    “Was already planning on it,” he told her.
    “Any idea what you’re going to say?” Jamison asked.
    “Yes,” Paisley said. “First off, I’ll introduce myself as Paisley Knight not Paisley Ames. This will be just the beginning. Once I go out there, the door I tried to shut will swing back open with a bang. They know where I am now. I won’t hide.” She held up her hand when Jamison appeared ready to interrupt. “I won’t. If the person who attacked me all those years ago decides to come back now and finish the job, I trust you to deal with it and keep me safe.” She squeezed Bare’s arm. “I trust all of you. Besides, I won’t be going back to my house right now. Marco can stay there if he