How screwed up had Adare’s life become that Benny was making sense? “I’ve wanted her since the first time she opened her eyes and started defying me,” he admitted. “But I’ve always been afraid to hurt her.”

Benny laughed. “To think it’s her cells that will eat yours like miniature Pac-men.”

Adare grimaced at the image. “I didn’t survive the ritual of the Seven to be taken down by mating a fragile human, Benny.” Even one who’d surprised him with her bravery the other day.

“I know, Brother. But she ain’t a fragile human. Well, she might be fragile and she could’ve been human, but she’s a Key. We don’t even know the full implications of that fact.” Benny exhaled slowly as healing tingles wafted from him. “By the way, you’ve been a good brother. I hope you don’t die.”

“I love you too, man,” Adare returned, chuckling along with Benny. “Seriously. It has been an honor, Benjamin Reese.” He stood and reached down a hand to help Benny up.

Benny grabbed him in a hard hug, smacking his back with a force that echoed through the quiet. “It has, and you need to live through this.” He stepped away; his gaze serious. “I think you’re gonna have to let go that hold you have on emotion to do it. It wasn’t your fault the Highlanders died, and it wasn’t your fault that your family perished.” He scratched his chin. “In fact, a lot didn’t die. You know that.”

Adare nodded. Many of his brethren had gone into service with the British, but the clan system was destroyed. “My way of life ended.”

“Yeah, but now we have running water. Clean clothes. Netflix.” Benny grinned. “It’s a better world, and mine will go dark if you leave it, so how about you grow a pair and hit the emotion hard?”

Adare cut him a look.

Benny set his stance. “If you don’t, she’ll say no, and we both know you won’t force her. Even if it means she dies.”

Adare couldn’t argue with that. He’d never force a woman. “Did you just tell me to grow a pair?”

“Yep.”

“You want to go again?” Adare muttered.

Benny shook out his arms and rolled his neck. “Sure. Let’s do it.”

“Knock it off.” Grace walked into the room, her face pink, with both Emma and Faith on her heels. “We, um, may have found a solution. Maybe.” She wouldn’t look him in the eye.

The riot inside him settled, hard and fast, definite and sure. “Unless it involves us mating, I don’t want to hear it.” He said the words as gently as he could.

Grace’s head snapped up. “Stop being bossy and just listen, damn it.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to tell the truth? Finally?”