Thick silence hung in the air for a long moment. “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said and threaded her fingers through his.
He looked down at their entwined hands. “My monster of a father couldn’t conduct a legitimate business deal to save his fucking life. He owed some people a lot of money, which he didn’t have, so they broke into our home to clean us out. Cain wasn’t supposed to be there. They drowned my twin in the tub to prove they weren’t messing around.” He lifted his face. “I found him, blue and bloated.”
In seconds, she was on his lap. She wrapped her arm around his back and hugged him. Though she could never assume to know his pain, she knew her own. “I’m so sorry.”
They sat in silence until Colton continued. “The message on your bathroom mirror wasn’t a coincidence. Who trashed your home, Brigit? Talk to me.”
Was now the right time to come clean? Should she tell him the truth and pledge her support against MobiCom, even if he fired her and kicked her out? “I…uh, I…want you to…um…there’s something I need to te—”
Will came jogging into the room. “Sorry to interrupt. I was monitoring the grounds and saw someone in the parking lot. When I checked it out, they were gone, but, well, there’s no easy way to tell you this. Mr. Mitus, your tires have been slashed.”
* * *
An hour and ahalf later,Vonn pulled out of Luray Cavern’s parking lot and activated the privacy screen in the Bentley. To Colton’s surprise, Brigit curled into his lap, rested her head on his shoulder and nuzzled his neck. He wrapped his arms around her, breathed her beautiful scent and listened to her steady breathing.
He didn’t consider himself a romantic, but as the miles blurred by, he thought of how much his life had changed since she’d walked through Seth’s door. This woman had an inner strength that rivaled his own. Determined, bold, difficult, sassy. Yet in the darkness, her fear and loneliness spoke volumes.
When Vonn stopped the Bentley at the Mitus gates, Colton dropped a light kiss on her lips. Brigit had barely spoken a word since Will had burst in with the news. She’d looked terrified, so he didn’t press her further.
“We’re home,” he whispered.
The muscles in her back relaxed and she lifted her face to his. “Thank you for a once-in-a-lifetime evening. It meant so much to me.” This time she kissed him, then scrambled off his lap.
At the circle, Vonn cut the engine and opened Colton’s door.
Exiting the vehicle, Colton said, “Thank you for going the extra mile, Vonn.
“I’m relieved you’re both safe,” Vonn replied.
In silence, Colton escorted Brigit to her bedroom. When he turned to leave, she placed a soft but firm hand on his arm.
“Stay with me tonight.”
40
THE GRAND GIFT
Colton awoke spooning Brigit, his hard-on pressed against her toned bottom. She didn’t stir, so he slipped out of bed, threw on his pants and strode down the hall to his bedroom. When he made up his mind, there was no stopping him. After listening to Brigit play, and watching her come alive at the keyboard, he was determined to complete the project that day.
By late afternoon, he stood admiring the unblemished instrument in his living room.
His thoughts drifted to the previous night. If some asshole hadn’t slashed his tires, would Brigit have confided in him? And what would she have told him? Her baby news or something from her past that could help Tucker? Seemed farfetched that the vandalism to his vehicle was related to her home invasion, but he couldn’t rule it out, either.
He’d learned nothing about Brigit, but had revealed plenty. Despite being a private person, he couldn’t stop talking around her. Going forward, he needed to shut the hell up. Let her spill her guts for a change.
Taylor walked by the living room and stopped short. “I didn’t know you played.”
“I don’t.”
She smiled.
With a playful tone, he said, “Wipe the grin, Taylor. Could you bring Brigit out here so she can see her surprise?”
“She’ll love it.” Taylor vanished around the corner.
Moments later, Taylor led Brigit, with her eyes closed, into the living room, then left.
Colton stood next to the piano, ensuring he could see her expression. “Open your eyes, Brigit.”
