Chapter 57: Ride of Lies
’We will never be friends.’
And she was right. But she was also wrong, because if he weren’t a Lesnar, she wouldn’t just be his friend. She would’ve been his, in every way.
She wanted him. Tonight, he saw it clearer than ever. Beneath her harsh words and guarded stare, she needed him just as much as he needed her.
That wasn’t in his head. It was real. Raw.
But he couldn’t act on it. Not only because of pride. Not because of doubt.
He wanted her—desperately.
But he couldn’t have her.
Not when her name was tied to a past his family was still trying to forget. Conor’s past with Marjorie Sanchez was already enough. Craig didn’t need to add to it.
He remembered how openly Conor had flirted with her mother. He was loud, reckless, and shameless. Craig didn’t know how much Merlina knew about that. Maybe she knew everything. Maybe she didn’t.
But it didn’t matter.
He cared about her. Deeply. And the more he tried to push it down, the louder it got. But if he let himself act on it, it wouldn’t end with just them. It would unravel everything—his family, his name, the fragile peace they barely held together.