I shook my head. “I don’t know. I think I just need some time.”
“You don’t owe him anything.” Liam said solemnly. “Just make me one promise.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t trust Dad. Ever again.”
“I know what he did was terrible, but he’s our dad.” I countered. “He’s the only parent we have left. Maybe if he gets the help he needs, I don’t know. Maybe?—”
“Sara, what he did was unforgivable.” Liam’s body went tight. “I’m glad you’re okay, all things considered, but I’ll never forgive him—you literally could have died. Both of you.” He added, and my gaze found Carter across the rooftop, knowing Liam was right—Carter was already looking at me and he motioned me over with pleading eyes and a tilt of his head. “I’m not asking you to hold a grudge, but please don’t let him back into your life, he doesn’t deserve it.”
I sighed and patted my brother’s chest. “Maybe time will fix things, huh?”
“When did you become such an optimist?” The corner of his mouth pulled.
“Hey, I’ve always been an optimist.” I argued, “And so haveyou. When didyoubecome such a pessimist?” I challenged, seeing so much worry swirling in the depths of my brother’s eyes as he shrugged. “At least we’ll always have each other. You’re the one person I know I can always trust.” And thank God for that.
“Yeah, and that ass-hat.” Liam nodded to the very dreamy man, who was putting on a little show for me, dancing, trying to lure me over to him with a suggestive curl of his fingers as he beckoned me over.
I shivered, this morning’s shower escapades flashing through my mind, leaving me in a lusty haze. “You love him.” I scolded with a breathy laugh.
Liam eyed me, lowering his voice. “Does he know?”
The pull of gravity itself was luring me away as I dropped my gaze. “No, of course not.” I murmured, ignoring the guilt that punched through me at the admission.
“Honestly, that’s probably for the best.” Liam nudged me with a chuckle. “Go on, your fiancée is getting desperate, but just know, I’ll always love ya, kid.”
“I love you, too.” I smiled and squeezed Liam in a big hugbefore slipping through the crowd and into the waiting arms of my lover.
“You wanna?” Carter asked, tipping his head towards the pool. I looked down at my evening gown and grinned. “Oh sure, why the hell not?”
“God, I love you.” Carter rasped, hauling me up into a bridal carry before he shouted for the whole rooftop to hear. “I have an announcement to make.” I chuckled as everyone’s heads turned and the music lowered.
Carter grinned wide and proud, looking mischievous as ever. “I just wanted to let you all know that I’m well aware of what a catch my darling wife is.” I shook my head, just waiting for whatever was coming next. “And for all of you cocksuckers who thought you had a chance—I win motherfuckers! She’s mine!” and then he jumped.
I screamed, howling with laughter, as we plunged into the sparkling water. Carter’s mouth was on mine as we surged up, resurfacing, and everything else disappeared as my best friend, the love of my life, kissed me,real good.
Finally, no more hiding.
CHAPTER 63
The Butcher
LIAM
Seeing my little sister in my best friend’s arms still wasn’t something I was used to, but I was grateful she had him, because I knew Sara would be safe with him,no matter what.
Just like her little secret was safe with me, and it always would be, along with all the others I was keeping.
Which was exactly why nobody could know the real reason Gina and I had broken up—not even Gina, because it would be the unraveling of the carefully woven tapestry of deceit I’d been forced to weave. One lie, feeding right into the next, like a snake eating its tail.
Carter had been absolutely right. Iwoulddo whatever it took to protect Gina,and I had. I loved her too much to put her in such a compromising situation, because I’d become the very thing she despised—a criminal.
Someone who had sold out my best friend and my kid sister to the mob because that blackmail they’d found—waspayment called duefor the very first thread that had ever been woven. The knot that threatened to come back and strangle me at any moment—the body I’d buried for my sister, the night of the charity auction.
The night we’d both killed someone.
The golden boy, the optimist my sister once knew, he was long gone.
