"And I've hated every second of it."
Despite myself, I laugh.
"We’ll be back,” Caden promises as he pulls me to my feet and into his embrace. “We’re a call away if you need us,” he tells me as he gives a pointed look at Lorenzo.
Daithi hauls me toward him and holds me tight. God, I’m going to miss them but I’m glad they came. It was so good to see them all. Conn, included.
“We’ll talk,” Conn whispers when it’s his turn to say goodbye. “I have so much to say.”
I give him a soft smile. “We have time,” I reply. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
He presses a kiss to my cheek. “You’re amazing,” he says. “Be happy, Quinn.”
"Stay out of trouble," I call to my brothers as they reach the door.
Caden grins at me. "We make no promises."
They leave, and Valentina follows them out moments later, closing the library door behind her. The room suddenly feels quieter.
I lower myself back into my chair and glance across at Lorenzo. He's watching me.
My stomach does that stupid little flutter it's developed around him lately.
"So," I say, wrapping my hands around my tea. "That went better than expected."
One corner of his mouth lifts. "Your brothers don't hate me."
"No," I agree. "They've just threatened you so many times they've gotten it out of their systems."
"I wouldn't go that far."
I laugh. Lorenzo's gaze lingers on me for a moment longer than necessary, and the smile slowly fades from my face. Because there is something different about him today, something lighter, and I have a feeling we're finally about to talk about it.
"Why did you go to my parents?" I ask quietly.
His gaze meets mine. "You know why."
"I know what you told me." I set my tea down. "I want to know why."
For a moment he doesn't answer, but then he leans back in his chair. "Because your father put his hands on you on our wedding day, and because I came home to find out you'd stood through the entire ceremony with a head injury and never said a word."
I look away, shame eating away at me. I was too weak to get him to stop.
"Quinn." I look back at him, and his gaze doesn't leave mine. "You've spent your whole life cleaning up messes that weren't yours to fix." His jaw tightens. "And nobody ever held the people responsible accountable for any of it."
My chest aches, and I draw in a slow breath. Then I shake my head. "You didn't have to do that."
His expression doesn't change. "Yes, I did."
"No, you?—"
"Your father put his hands on my wife."
The words stop me cold. Not Quinn, not your daughter.
My wife.
Lorenzo leans forward slightly. "Maybe everyone else in your life accepted it. Maybe they looked the other way." His jaw tightens. "I won't."
