My inheritance? That’s what Jones freaked out about back in Boston. I wouldn’t tell him how much, and that provoked him into attacking me. In all honesty, I was so surprised by the question that I didn’t finish comprehending before he slammed me against the wall.
It’s about money. All of this is about money.
I still don’t understand, but I’m getting there.
Wes looks furious. Ragey. I’m a little terrified of him, but mostly because he’s so fucking gorgeous and solidand there for me. That’s the only thing he cares about. Me. Protecting me. My body aches for him in a way I’ve never experienced.
Shane gets up, holding his hand palm out to Wes in a gesture that begs him to stop. It doesn’t look like Wes could get through Jones’s thugs, but I bet he’d find a way.
“Watch your fucking mouth. You don’t know anything about me, or Callie, or us.” Wes looks at me. “You okay?”
I nod and my chest tightens at the intense way Wes looks at me.
The divorce papers are still gripped in my hand, and I know they’re not getting signed tonight. I slip them back into my jacket.
Wes glances in the direction that his brother disappeared, a stoic look on his face.
Then the realization slams into me, making me sway on my feet. Wes let Noah go off in New York City by himself. He’s tracking a target or staking out a building or something, and he’s doing it without his protector. His brother.
Wes chose to stay here with me.
I’ve gotta end this conversation and get us out of here so Wes can go find Noah.
“Fine. We’ll meet tomorrow.” My hate for this man festers in my belly. “Bring my mother’s ring.”
“If I can find it.” Shane smirks. “Come tomorrow ready to share, and I’m more likely to be able to.”
If he can find it? I take a deep breath and appreciate that I now know for sure that Shane has the ring. I was almost positive, but there was always the worry that it was lost. I swallow and rub my arms. I don’t want to meet Shane tomorrow. I don’t want to see him ever again.
And then it occurs to me. Maybe he brought Meadow here as a backup plan. If he couldn’t get the money from me,he’d figure out how to get it from my half-sister. A shiver runs down my spine.
I’m not sure how else to end this besides giving him some of my father’s money. Maybe I need to do it to protect Meadow and Jake and get Wes out of this situation and just move on with our fucking lives.
“I’ll text you the address of where to meet.” Shane crosses his arms on his chest. Sure, he can be brave with two beefcakes standing between him and Wes.
“Let’s go, Callie.” Wes grabs my hand and guides me away from Shane before I can say another word. We walk side-by-side through the crowd and the first set of double doors. The two thugs follow us but stop when we head through the second set of doors. Past the bouncer, we step out of the building. The street is blessedly quiet after the noise of the fight club.
“You okay?” Wes stops and turns to me, cradling my face in his hands. The way his palms feel on my cheeks makes my stomach flutter.
“Yes.” I nod and slip my hands around his waist. Relief washes over me that we’re alone. “But I don’t have a good feeling about tomorrow. What if he refuses to sign? Doesn’t bring the ring?”
“We’ll make him.” Wes kisses me, his lips soft and gentle on mine.
How will we make him? I have so many doubts, but in this moment, I force myself to trust in Wes’s words. He’ll make this happen. I believe him.
“Shit, Wes, where’s Noah?” My eyes fly wide open. How could I forget about Noah? Wes must be freaking out. I search his face.
“He got hotel rooms for us. Sent me the address. Said he’s checking out—” Wes stops talking and looks at me.
“Another target?” I suggest, keeping my expression smooth. I maintain eye contact with him and tighten my grip on his waist. It’s important that Wes knows I’m okay with this. I want to be a part of his life and that means accepting and understanding what he and his brother?—
Wait, no, that’s not right. I don’t want to be a part of his life, not long-term. But for now. For now I’m okay with whatever it is he does with Noah.
At least for tonight. The last night.
Wes pauses, searching my face for something, then nods. “He said he’ll see us later.”
“But—are you sure? Should we go find him?”
