Bringing Him Back

Dhalia POV

“You had it beaten into you that relationships are weaknesses, right? That showing emotion is a weakness. That being gay or wanting to be with a man is a weakness. If you showed signs, he beat the hell out of you. If you cried, he beat you some more until you covered it all.”

Chase just stares, a stoic mask hiding the storm underneath. “I did it. Every night with those men, I forced myself not to cry or show weakness. I only did it once. So you know what, Chase? If it’s a good thing and it’s working for you, I’ll build up the same walls. I will lock everyone out, and then I won’t give a shit. I will be happy to walk away from everyone in my life like they mean nothing.”

He shakes his head slowly, a hint of something else—perhaps indignation or fear—at my suggestion.

“Maybe that’s the way to fix Jax and Blake,” I continue, pressing further, “Tell them to lock everything behind a wall. Ignore things if they hurt, get too much.”

“No!” His response is a fierce growl, breaking h