Page 6 of Forever a Thief

Maybe I had blinders on. Or maybe I wanted what my parents had so badly, I was willing to overlook a few faults and ignore the red flags. Because with hindsight, I can clearly see how Chad wasn’t right for me. But I was only twenty-five and didn’t have a lot of experience, especially with a man so worldly, polished and sophisticated. I truly thought I could learn from him—about life, the business…love. All I learned was men suck.

Chad had everything going for him. A successful restaurateur, he’d opened highly-rated establishments all over the country. I think his faux glow blinded me a bit to the truth—the man was a first class asshole. Just ask his wife.

I still wince at that. Yep, I had an affair with a married man. Unknowingly, of course. He hid the fact very well, and I naively believed whatever came out of his mouth. No, he never claimed to be single, I just assumed it to be true when he asked me out. God. It was all so humiliating. Looking back, I feel like an idiot for so many reasons. For believing his lies, for falling into bed with the boss and, maybe most of all, for not listening to that little voice in my head who warned me he was no good.

The worst part? I’ve spent the better part of the last four years feeling guilty he had a wife, and I know he doesn’t give a shit. That fact changed my entire outlook on men and love. I used to think everyone would end up as lucky as my parents. That if you looked long enough, one day you’d find your perfect person. Your soulmate. Now I know some people are just destined to be alone, broken of the trust needed to truly love someone else and let yourself be loved by them. Sadly, I’ve come to the conclusion I’m one of them.

But I’d rather be single and moderately happy than ever risk falling in love and potentially getting hurt again. It’s so not worth it. Not when the world is full of liars and cheaters, and I seem to draw them to me like mosquitoes on a hot summer night.

Harper is one of the lucky ones. She rebounded fast, found her other half, and he helped heal her wounds from LA jerk Patrick. As happy as I am for her, I’m also a smidge—and it’s just the tiniest smidge—jealous. She’s so ridiculously happy, she practically glows. I wish I could be even a tenth as happy as she is.

It’s hard sometimes when I’m hanging out with her and Ryland’s former team and their significant others. They’re all deeply in love, married and with babies or have babies on the way. Even though they’re always nice and welcoming, I can’t help but feel on the outs. It doesn’t really help that I have no single friends to commiserate with, and I’m only twenty-nine. This is all going to be so fun when I’m forty and alone. Not.

Huffing out a breath, I give my head a shake and finish typing in today’s numbers. Time to stop feeling sorry for myself and be grateful for what I have. My restaurant, my health, my new special edition paperback waiting for me on my nightstand at home…

My phone buzzes and I glance down to see Harper’s name flashing on the screen. It’s late, and my stomach sinks with dread. She, Ryland and Sienna are up north visiting some friends. The only reason she’d be calling me this late is if something bad happened. I grab it and answer, “Hey. Is everything okay?”

“Hi, yes,” she says, and I breathe out a relieved sigh. “You’re still at the restaurant closing up, right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Okay, good. So, this is going to sound weird, but… You know Addie, Ryland’s sister?”

“Uh-huh.” Oh, I know all about Addison Mills and her ring of thieves. Although we’ve only met briefly, she’s everything I wish I could be—a fearless, take-no-crap woman who is a legend in her world. And in my eyes. She’s an intelligent badass who is way too smart to fall for an idiot like Chad Wellington. No, she has a handsome former detective who, according to Harper, would do anything for her.

“Well, she has a friend and he’s in some kind of trouble.” I have no idea what this has to do with me, but I’m definitely curious. “Apparently, he’s in Coronado and he’s hurt and on his way to the restaurant right now.”

On his way—

My brow wrinkles. “He’s coming here?”

“It was the closest, safest place.”

I know what kind of people Addison and Ryland Mills associate with, and they’re all dangerous. At the same time, Ryland’s former teammates—Gray, Zane, Inda, Saint, Braxton and Hunter—are some of the best people I’ve ever met.

“Can I trust him?” I ask, shutting my laptop and popping out of my seat.

“Um, I think so?”

“That’s not very reassuring, Harper!” I stalk out of my office and pause at the edge of the dining room, trying to see the locked front door, but it’s out of view from where I’m standing. All seems quiet, though.

A deep voice says something in the background, but it’s muffled. “Ryland wants to know if you have a gun?” Harper asks.

“No, of course not! Are you kidding me?”

“Just a precaution until Gray and Aubrey get there. They’re on their way right now.”

“I am not letting some random stranger in here if you think I need a gun,” I state firmly.

“Not from him,” she quickly amends, “but from whoever might be after him.”

I wish that made me feel better, but it doesn’t. If bad guys are chasing this man, then he’s leading them here. At the same time, if he’s hurt and needs help, I can’t say no. My parents always taught us to help, if we could.

“Gray and Aubrey are coming over?” I verify. Knowing the big former SEAL nicknamed Demon is on his way makes me feel much better. He’s not someone anyone with half a brain would mess with, and I know he’ll be armed.

“They should be there any minute,” she assures me.

“Okay,” I relent. “Hopefully this guy isn’t hurt too badly.” I know Aubrey is a trauma nurse and will come prepared to help, so double bonus having them here.