“I want all of it with him. Marriage. Forever. Kids. A life.”
She raises an eyebrow at this, indicating she doesn’t get it.Go on, that eyebrow says.
“I haven’t known him very long. Not nearly as long as I thought I would need to know someone to trust them with everything. He could be hiding something, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t get rid of those thoughts. He deserves so much more than that.”
Ellie reaches over and puts an arm around my shoulders, pulling me to her for a hug. “To be fair, you’ve been with hima lotsince you got married, so it almost counts as longer. You guys are hardly ever apart. And judging by the way that man looks at you, he doesn’t care what you think he deserves. He wants you.” She pauses. “He loves you,” she says, her voice tight with emotion.
The knowing wells inside my chest as I think about athousand tender looks he’s given me since we met, hundreds of gentle touches, more than a few heated gazes.
He loves me.
I think about the picture Ellie showed me of Grayson. It epitomizes everything he wanted from me—not love, certainly. Fame, vindication, sex. It was about power.
I trust Jordan enough today. I will trust him enough tomorrow. And I will trust that we both love each other enough to have forever together. It won’t happen magically, like a fairy tale. I just have to believe that itwillhappen.
Ellie goes on softly. “The partner I want for you, Libby, is one who understands the trauma in your past and walks beside you through every aspect of healing you have to go through. I see that partner in Jordan. You don’t have to be perfect for him, Libby. The same way you don’t expect him to be perfect for you.”
I lean my head on her shoulder, and we sit there in silence until Will comes in to tell us dinner is ready. I stand first, then reach a hand down to my sister to pull her up.
“Thanks, El,” I say, leaning into her as we walk to the kitchen.
She bumps me softly with her hip. “You’re the one who married him. Thank yourself. It was very smart.” With that, she wiggles her eyebrows and leads the way to the dining table.
I think about that kiss. Well done, Libby Bennet. Well done.
CHAPTER 38
JORDAN
Within a couple hours, Agent Porter and his team have put together a plan to lure Bryce in, and I’m at the center of it.
It starts with a call to Mitchell. Agent Porter’s team of half a dozen agents all don headphones to listen in. Caleb pauses his typing. He’s been working on proving that Bryce is behind Baylee’s involvement.
“Got another excuse?” Mitchell asks dryly when he picks up.
“I’ve got the money—in cash,” I add. “But if you want it, I have a demand of my own.”
Agent Porter gives an approving nod at my words.
Mitchell scoffs. “Youhave a demand? Not sure you’re in the position to make those.”
“If you want the money, you’ll listen. Or you can hang up and watch $500,000 go down the drain. Your choice.” I keep my voice calm. Hockey was good training for situations like this. I spent eight years of my life keeping my cool while being surrounded by chaos.
Mitchell pauses for a long time. We all share looks as I wait him out. He wants me to cave.
“What?” he finally barks.
“Tell Bryce I’ll hand over the cash to him in person. Otherwise, I’m not paying anything.”
Everyone in the room holds their breath together, waiting for Mitchell’s answer.
“Bryce?” Mitchell sounds surprised, but it’s probably only because I’m not supposed to know about that part. “He’s the guy who scammed me in the first place. Why would I want you to give the money to him?” His voice keeps rising, and I don’t think that’s in anger. He sounds stressed.
“Come on, Mitch.” My turn to scoff. “You really believe I’m that dumb? My wife is a billionaire. I’ve got resources. Did you guys think I’d give you half a million dollars because a picture of me having dinner with Daria Cane is on Instagram?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mitchell says stonily.
“Tell Bryce I’m happy to give him the money to keep the feds off Baylee. I just want to face him after what he did to my sister and my hometown.” I let out a little of the growl I’ve been keeping in. Agent Porter told me sounding a little angry is good for the act.
