Jared knew he was right . . . so why did he keep insisting on their relationship being a secret?
Was it because of how the family would see him?
Who gave a fuck about them?
“You’re right. We should stop keeping it a secret. And you shouldn’t have to be someone you’re not.”
Because assistant North was very different from real North.
North stared at him, blinking. That was a big reaction from him. He obviously hadn’t expected Jared to say that.
“You want to come out?”
Jared’s lips twitched at the wording. “I do.”
“Not sure that’s wise. The family?—”
“Can get fucked,” Jared growled. “I don’t give a fuck about any of them except Tabby. And we know that Tabby will be happy for us.”
North nodded slowly. “And what about Angie?”
“She has to go back, North. I know you thought it was what I would want. But it’s not what is best for her. And I still don’t understand why you’d do it after all this time.”
North shrugged. “Guilt?”
“Why would you feel guilty?” Jared asked.
“I helped her leave.”
“What?” Had Jared heard that right?
“I helped her leave that night after Fergus died. I went and found her. Gave her some money. And told her to go. And you’ve wanted her ever since. I denied you that. I’ve watched you think about her, watched you hold onto that soft toy of hers. So I finally decided to do something about it.”
Fuck.
That wasn’t what he was expecting.
“You helped her leave? You knew I wanted to talk to her.”
“I did.” North nodded. “And I still helped her leave.”
“Why?” Jared asked.
“I’m still not sure. Maybe because I knew you were slightly obsessed with her. And I wanted her out of the picture. I wanted your attention on taking over the family and on me. Nothing else.”
“Fuck. Fuck.” Jared swallowed back his drink and then poured himself more.
He didn’t offer North any. The other man didn’t drink.
“I should punish you for that. For going against my back. For lying to me. For keeping her from me.”
He should. But it was so long ago and a part of him acknowledged that North had probably done the right thing.
“It was likely for the best she left then,” he said. “But you should have told me.”
“I should have.”
Jared took another sip of his Scotch. “I failed all of them. I would have failed her too.”
