“Goddamn, Lena. If anything ever happened to you ...”
I take a deep, rattling breath.
“I know you mean well.”
“Take a look at the report I sent, Lena. See what he’s been up to and why it’s not as easy as you think. Someone needs to stop him before he keeps abusing this city.”
“And you don’t think I can?”
He doesn’t look at me.
His silence is deafening.
My chest tightens until my lungs stall.
Whatever.
At least we know where we stand, walking a tightrope between feelings we shouldn’t have and no real mutual respect.
“You know what, it’s probably best if I go home tonight,” I say. His ice maker kicks on and hums, the only sound between us. “Alone, I mean.”
“Yeah.” His throat bobs as he nods once. “I’ll give you your space. I appreciate what you did for me today, again.”
“And I would’ve appreciated a little notice if you were going to go all secret agent man on my ex.” I sound so bitter.
There’s no way he would’ve told me. He knows I never would’ve agreed to let him be my shield when I’m in too deep. The only reason Harry isn’t already lining up demolition contractors for Pawsome Hearts is Brady’s money.
Just shoot me.
Right now, I’m not in a forgiving mood. I’m in a ragey, pitiful, hate-you-for-making-me-second-guess mood, even if I know his heart’s in the right place.
Even if I care way too much.
The words eat me alive until I’m hollowed out as he approaches, pulling me into his arms.
“Take all the time you need. Get yourself sorted,” he whispers. “I’ll fucking miss you.”
“I ... I’ll miss you too.” Yep, I’m stuttering.
My arms instinctively wrap around his back.
It’s not even a lie.
For a second, I feel like hot trash for ever questioning if there’s another woman.
With all the time we’ve spent together, he’d barely have achanceto see anyone else.
And this here—this isn’t for show.
It’s a real, organic, heartfelt fight.
A battle forus.
Still, the fact that he lied about investigating Harry and went behind my back to play superhero stings.
A betrayal is a betrayal.
Worse, maybe, because I never once said we had to stay exclusive for this arrangement. But Ididtell him not to fight my battles.
