Evans, Gabrielle - Upon Crimson Waters [Fatefully Yours 2] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever ManLove) Read Free Page B

across the room to stand directly in front of Eyce. He leaned in close until their noses almost touched and snarled like a wild animal. Eyce gently eased Echo behind him, but otherwise didn’t react to Fiero’s aggressiveness.
    “I am no coward,” Fiero growled. “You want to walk around pretending like everything is sunshine and daisies, that’s your fucking problem. Forgive me if I’m a little more realistic.” Then he turned sharply and just stood there with his head bent and his body heaving as he breathed heavily.
    Echo didn’t understand exactly what was going on, but he couldn’t stand to see one of his men in pain. Easing out from behind Eyce, he moved cautiously until he stood just behind Fiero, then reached out hesitantly with a trembling hand to smooth his fingertips down Fiero’s spine. “Please talk to me,” he whispered. “Let me help.”
    “You can’t help me,” Fiero said so quietly that Echo almost didn’t hear him.
    “I can try.” His chest tightened painfully at the hopelessness in his warrior’s voice. “At least let me try.”
    Eyce moved soundlessly to stand in front of Fiero, cupped his face in both palms, and lifted his head to meet his eyes. “A team, right? Something is coming. Something bigger than all of us, and we need to face it together. You can’t take this on by yourself.”
    Echo watched as Fiero’s breathing slowly eased, his muscles relaxed, and he leaned forward to rest his forehead against Eyce’s. “I know,” he whispered. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it, though.”
    The light went off in Echo’s head, and he finally got it. Yes, Fiero was scared, but he also felt guilty. He’d taken all of their troubles on his shoulders, unwilling to share the weight of the burden with his lovers.
    He stood there silently, just watching the two men together. They didn’t speak, didn’t move, didn’t so much as blink as they stared into each other’s eyes. Even if they wouldn’t admit it, Echo could practically feel the love pouring off of them like a tangible force. They looked so beautiful together, Echo suddenly felt like an intruder.
    Stepping back slowly, he started to leave to give them some privacy when Fiero grabbed his hand and squeezed it. Echo squeezed back, a tiny smile playing over his lips. “I’ll be down the hall,” he said quietly, not wanting to interrupt the moment. “You two don’t need me right now.”
    It hurt a little to say, but Echo knew Fiero needed Eyce. The man just seemed to ground him, calm him, and Echo could respect that. Maybe if he disappeared for a little while, Eyce could heal whatever was hurting Fiero.
    He tried to tug his hand free, but Fiero wouldn’t release him. Instead, he tugged Echo forward until he could wrap an arm around his shoulders and pull him into his and Eyce’s combined embrace.
    “Stay,” he whispered. “Just stay.”

    * * * *

    Fiero let his hand roam over the soft, creamy skin of Echo’s back. He still rested his forehead against Eyce’s, enjoying the closeness of his lovers and allowing their nearness to calm him. Being a prick all the time wasn’t something he was proud of, but he just wasn’t good with emotions—especially ones he didn’t understand.
    Echo made him feel strange. Besides wanting to fuck him on the nearest flat surface every time the little guy breathed in his direction, Fiero also felt extremely protective and possessive of him. Oh, he didn’t mind sharing with the other men in the house. Echo belonged to all of them, after all. The thought of someone besides his lovers touching their mate made him see red, though.
    “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he whispered as his other hand moved to tangle in Eyce’s hair. Gods, they made him feel things that he didn’t understand, couldn’t explain. Things he wasn’t sure that he wanted to feel.
    He’d always cared about his lovers, worried about them, and would protect them with his life. Until Echo showed up,