She sighed wearily. “It doesn’t change anything. I can’t work for you.” She left me at the door and went to the couch, sinking down like all the air had left her. I hated seeing her like that.
“What happened, April. What happened to you setting your own course in life?” I shut the door behind me and went to sit across from her in a plush chair.
“You know what happened. August.”
I shook my head. “We can’t let him derail us again, April.”
“It’s not that easy—”
“Bullshit!”
She flinched at my outburst and I inhaled a steadying breath.
“I know August is your brother and you love him. I know that he has looked out for you, but he’s also manipulated and betrayed you, April. You’ve been trying to break from him. If you give in now, you’ll never break free.”
“So, I’m supposed to go from one man telling me what to do and controlling my livelihood to another?”
I jerked back. “What the fuck, April? I’m not telling you want to do. I’m not controlling—”
“You’re telling me to stand up to August. You’re my boss.”
“You resigned, remember?” I was a fucking idiot to remind her of that. “I don’t want to control you, April.” I wasn’t sure what to think about her statement. Maybe she did need time to stand on her own without August or me.
“The point is, August won’t give up. He’ll do what he can to hurt your business. He wants to destroy you.”
I looked her directly in the eyes. “Because one time wasn’t enough.”
She cocked her head like she didn’t get my meaning.
“August destroyed me when he sent that forged letter from you. The only way he can destroy me again, is by taking you from me. I won’t let it happen if I can stop it.”
Her breath hitched and tears came to her eyes. “But your business.”
“You and Maya are more important than my business.”
“What about Cyrus? It would hurt him too.”
“I’ve made peace with Cyrus on the potential that things could go sideways. He’s okay with that. But April, August isn’t God. Don’t underestimate me and my ability to influence people in this town.”
I swore I could see a tug-of-war in her eyes. Taking a chance, I moved to sit next to her on the cou
ch.
“The only thing that matters to me is you and Maya. You have to decide what matters to you. But if you’re resigning and pushing me away to protect me from August, you have to stop. When you do that, you give into him. He wins.”
“I don’t want him to hurt you.”
“He only hurts me if it costs me you, April. Don’t you understand?” I pushed her hair out of her face and then gazed into her eyes, wanting to make sure she knew I was sincere. That I was speaking from my heart. From my soul. “I love you.”
24
April
My heart was expanding and cartwheeling in my chest as his words wrapped around me and for the first time in eight years, I felt safe and truly loved. It was a false sense of security, but one I wanted to latch onto. If only August wasn’t so hardheaded.
“Jude.” It was the only thing I could say. I flung my arms around him, and held him never wanting to let go. I hadn’t wanted to write that resignation letter, but I couldn’t see any other choice if I wanted to get August off Jude’s back. I did it to protect Jude, he was right about that. I still wanted to protect him, which meant I’d need to figure out how to avoid giving in completely, which was hard because he said he loved me and his arms were holding me, and he was whispering such lovely things to me.
“I’m not letting you go, April. This time we win. I love you, baby.”