“The man who attacked them was Damien. He had double-crossed the team and, in doing so, shattered any trust Rome had.”
“But they’re all okay,” I insisted.
Will shook his head, his eyes filled with compassion. “In Rome’s mind, he was supposed to protect his best friend. He was in charge of his safety—his life—and he failed in that. At least, Rome is convinced he failed. Rome trusted Damien and was double-crossed; Malachi trusted Rome and was let down. At least that’s how Rome sees it. Rome now believes he can neither be trusted, nor trust anyone.”
“Does he trust you?” Will had been his technical boss for years now. Surely some form of trust was created between the two.
Will shrugged, “I can’t know. I would hope so, and I think I have proven to him that he can. It’s just a matter of his accepting that. It’s that lack of trust Rome has, that led me to assign him toyou. If he doesn’t trust anyone, and I meananyone, he won’t let someone close who can hurt you.”
“Will…” I tried to say, but was interrupted.
“Wait… I need to say something. Something I should have said years ago, Bec. I’m sorry. I am so sorry that I left you and Mom home in that house with your abuser. I am so sorry I wasn’t there to get in the way of the punches, the slaps, or the words. I am so fucking sorry, Bec.” Will’s eyes glittered with unshed tears, and I could feel my own falling down my cheeks. “I was a coward and terrified…”
“It stopped, Will,” I interrupted… unable to take his guilt a minute longer.
“What?”
I took a deep breath, terrified of what his reaction would be, and heartbroken that he didn’t know. “When you left, Dad stopped. He didn’t hit me or Mom. He barely spoke to us. Don’t get me wrong, he still would throw awful comments my way, but it was far less frequent. We were insignificant to him if we could no longer be pawns to hurt you.”
“He didn’t hurt you again?”
I shook my head, “Not physically. Your leaving kept us safe. You did the best thing you could have. Do not apologize.I’msorry for never telling you.”
He stood and pulled me into a hug. “I love you, Bec. I hope you know that… that you’vealwaysknown that.”
I hugged him back as I let the tears I so often held back, flow freely.
Chapter Fifteen
ROME
Iwas excited when Will had agreed to come out and support Bec at the monthly board meeting. She needed all the people in her corner that I could find. What I wasn’t excited for was the Bly Family dinner I was now invited to.
I had tried to protest… well, weakly tried. I had wandered back into Bec’s office at the end of the day to escort her home, when I found her and Will… both in tears. Will was actually crying. Ihad known the man for years and didn’t think he had the ability to cry.
So when they invited me to dinner at their mom’s house, I couldn’t say no. Honestly, seeing Bec cry, she could convince me to do absolutely anything in that moment.
So here I was, standing on Winnifred Bly’s front porch with my mom’s homemade garlic bread, mentally preparing for what was bound to be the weirdest dinner I had ever attended. Will wasn’t my biggest fan, and Bec and I were on better terms, but the foundation was new. I wasn’t sure how stable our newfound friendship was. I had never met Winnifred, and I had no idea what she knew or even thought about me. There was one attendee who could be my saving grace…
The door flew open, and I was met with a blonde fury launching herself into my arms. “Rome!” Jackie yelled, and damn, was she trusting in me. Luckily, I had caught her in one arm and kept hold of the bread in the other arm… it was quite the balancing act.
I laughed and spun her in a circle before setting her down took a good look at her. She was my best friend's little sister, but I hadn’t met her until a few years back when I moved to her hometown. She was the definition of sunshine.
“Look at you,” I beamed.
She crinkled her nose as she smiled, “Are we gonna talk about how you’re pretending to date my sister-in-law? Because I have so many questions that I don’t think Bec will answer.”
“Hey,” Bec protested. I looked up to see her leaning in the doorway of the brownstone, a soft smile on her face. Her hair fell in soft waves down her back, and she was clad in a black turtleneck and jeans. It was the most casual I had ever seen her. I couldn’t place why, but she seemed lighter after talking with Will.
Jackie laughed and pulled both Bec and me inside as she spoke. “You can’t blame me, you’re just like your brother. All broody and shit. It’s why you need people like me…” She paused and glanced at me with a mischievous look, “And Rome.”
Bec rolled her eyes as usual, but didn’t protest.
I was then led through what could only be described as the most extravagant home I had ever seen. “This place is…” my voice trailed off.
“Right?” Jackie agreed and led us into the kitchen, which was just as fancy but had more touches of home. “I felt the same way the first time I saw it.”
Will was standing at the stove next to an older woman whom I recognized as his and Bec’s mother. I had never met her, but had seen enough photos and heard enough descriptions to recognize her.
