The Dom Identity (Masters & Mercenaries Reloaded 2)

“Why would you apologize to Ava?” Vanessa asked, not wanting to make that leap of logic.

Though it was odd that a coworker Michael didn’t seem to have much in common with knew exactly where everything was in his kitchen. And Tessa had been surprised Vanessa accepted her so readily as Kyle’s replacement. As though Vanessa would have a reason to reject her.

Because who wanted to be guarded by their boyfriend’s ex-fiancée?

“Oh, I apologize often.” Tessa’s eyes had gone wide, and she nodded. “Ava and my mom planned that wedding for a good year, and Michael and I blew it all to hell with two months to go. Deposits were lost, if you know what I mean.”

“Tessa,” Ava began, her eyes on Vanessa.

Tessa flushed slightly. “Oh, hey, that doesn’t mean Michael isn’t an awesome guy. My mom still adores him. I mean she loves David, but she’s still very friendly with Michael. As breakups go, ours was like the best.”

“Dear, I don’t think Michael mentioned the two of you were previously engaged,” Ava said quietly. “Vanessa, I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t have joked if I thought for a second you didn’t know. It was a long time ago. They’ve both moved on. They were right to end their relationship because there wasn’t passion between them.”

“He didn’t tell you?” Tessa’s question was tinged with outrage.

Vanessa shook her head. “No. And you must still work well together since he had you spy on me.”

“I was watching you,” Tessa corrected, her skin flushing slightly. “And honestly, I was there to protect you, too. Look. Michael is obviously a dumbass.”

“Why am I a dumbass?” Michael asked. He’d put on a sport coat and looked so gorgeous it hurt. “I mean, this time, that is. I am obviously a dumbass, but I usually have a reason.”

Ava frowned at her son. “You didn’t bother to mention to Vanessa that you used to be engaged.”

“Of course I did.” Michael looked to her, a clearly confused expression on his face. “I told you I almost got married.”

“You didn’t tell her it was to me.” Tessa had her hands on her hips.

“Why would that matter?” Michael asked.

Tessa groaned. Ava put a hand on her head like it had started to ache.

He had to be kidding. This was the perfect reminder that he wasn’t the man for her. She pushed back her chair and stepped away. “You might have mentioned that you used to sleep with the woman you assigned to be my in-club mentor.”

“Honestly, at the end there wasn’t much of that. There wasn’t much of it in the beginning either,” Tessa admitted. “Sometimes I have no idea why we even moved in together.”

“Your apartment flooded, and you didn’t want to move back in with your mom,” Michael replied. “Vanessa, I’m sorry. I didn’t mention it because it didn’t matter.”

“Michael,” his mother admonished.

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Michael groaned. “Vanessa, let’s talk about this in the car. Tessa, why are you here? Where’s Kyle?”

Vanessa turned to Tessa. “Do you have a car here?”

Tessa nodded before looking back to Michael. “He’s trying to work out something at his bank. I didn’t have an assignment today so I told him I would cover for him.”

“Good.” It was late, and she didn’t want to talk to Michael. He would simply give her more excuses. “You can drive me to work. Michael, I won’t need a ride home. Your ex can give me one.”

Michael stepped in front of her. “I honestly didn’t think about telling you her name. I didn’t think it mattered. I did talk to you about the fact that I’d been engaged. I’m sorry I didn’t sit you down and explain the whole situation, but I wanted to focus on us.”

“There is no us.” The words were stubborn, but she was kind of feeling that way. She needed to think about this, about what the hell she was doing with a man she couldn’t trust. “I would like for Tessa to take me to work. She’s proven she’s good at watching me, so I don’t think we’ll have any problems.”

“Come on, please.” Michael stared down at her, a stark look on his face. “Let’s go get some coffee and talk about this. I wasn’t trying to hide something from you. Or maybe I was. Maybe I didn’t want you to think about the fact that I almost made a huge mistake. Not because Tessa isn’t wonderful, but because she isn’t you. I should have been patient. I should have waited until I met the right woman. Until I met you.”

He was so earnest, but she needed time. And space. She wasn’t sure she could believe him, and even if she did, wouldn’t it all fall apart? “I need to go to work. I would like for Tessa to drive me. I would like some time to process what I just learned. I’m asking you for that time.”