I push myself all up in his face. “I did not. You assumed the guy was my college boyfriend. I just didn’t correct you.”
“An omission is still a lie!”
“It didn’t matter. It was in the past, and we both agreed not to discuss our previous relationships.”
“Well, it’s not fucking now, is it?” He roars, slamming his fist into the wall, leaving a knuckle-shaped dent that will require repair.
My eyes widen. He reaches for me, and I instinctively step back.
“Shit. Sorry. I’m sorry.” Pain fills his eyes. “I don’t know how to handle everything I’m feeling. I don’t do this, and it feels like I’m unraveling.”
The tension leaves my body, and I reach for him, wrapping my arms around him. “Seán, I love you.” I lean back and cup his handsome face. “And I need you to trust me.” I draw a brave breath, knowing I need to give him this truth now. “Yes, Callan is the guy. If I’d known he was the contractor, I would’ve told you when I first found out about the assignment.”
“You should’ve told me anyway.” A muscle pops in his jaw, and I sigh, stepping away from him.
“You’re right. I should have. I thought about it, but I hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. He’s supposed to be playing football overseas. I’m stunned to see him here.”
“I don’t want you alone with him.”
“You need to trust me.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.”
“I can handle the situation. You need to go, and I need to stay. It’s what our jobs demand.” I step nearer, resting my hand on his chest. “You promised you wouldn’t interfere again, Seán, and I’m holding you to it. That means no firing or plotting Callan’s death. I mean it, babe. Promise me you will do nothing to him.”
“I’m only promising for now.”
He is so fucking stubborn, and honestly, it scares me a little how easy it is for him to toss out threats I know he has the power and resources to pursue. “I love you and only you.” I stretch up and kiss him.
Seán grabs the back of my head and joins our mouths, devouring my lips with a desperation that makes me feel like crying.
“All bets are off if he touches you,” he growls.
“He won’t. He’s with her now.”
Bitterness coats his laugh as it rips from his mouth in a torrent. “Don’t be so fucking naïve. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He wants you, and it’s not like him having a girlfriend or you having a fiancé is likely to stop him with his track record, now is it?”
“It’ll stop me! I hate him for what he did. He is no fucking threat to you, to what we have, so please drop this, Seán. I am trying really hard to hold on to my professionalism because this project is important to me. You know the reasons why after our conversation. You’re making this harder, and there’s no need for it. Do you honestly think I want anything to do with him after he betrayed me with my best friend?” I yell, instantly regretting it because there’s no way Dave and Callan didn’t hear.
“Fuck.” I press my forehead to the wall, silently counting to ten as I try to cool down. “Just go, Seán. Leave me to do my job.” I push off the wall and straighten up. “This conversation is over for now. I will see you later. I hope the worker is okay.”
59
CALLAN
Hurt shuttles through me as Astrid’s words land painfully like a knife plunging straight through my heart.
Beside me, Dave almost chokes on his tongue. His eyes are bugging out of his head as he stares at me. “You had that woman, and you cheated on her?”
“I didn’t,” I grit out, grinding my teeth as familiar frustration builds.
He scratches the back of his head. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s beyond complicated, and the only one who deserves an explanation is Astrid.” I’ve wanted to explain it to her for so long, but I promised her parents years ago that I’d let it go. Her being here changes things though. She probably doesn’t care about those unanswered questions anymore, but she has a right to know, and I want to tell her. Ineedto tell her. Even if all that happens is closure.
“She’s his fiancée, boss.”
“I’m well aware.” I lean my head back against the wall, still stunned and wondering what the fuck I’m going to do. I’ve already messaged Ma to keep Darcy tonight and told Travis we have a problem and I need to stop by his place later to discuss it.
