Morrison (Caldwell Brothers)

“You need to leave.”

“I’m not done here. Not even close, and because I still technically own my balls for now, you’re gonna listen to me.” Her face turns red, letting me know she’s ready to blow. “When I was driving out of Vegas, I was followed. At a stoplight, a black truck physically mounted my fucking Porsche. When I got out, your ex jumped from the truck with a tire iron and had some fun with my ribs, then my face. That’s why I was late coming back, but I didn’t want you to know that, because it wasn’t your fucking fault.”

“Then whose was it?”

“Mine. I could’ve taken his ass, could have walked away unscathed, but I kind of enjoy pain. I let him beat the hell out of me, knowing the cops were watching. I knew he would get put away. What I didn’t expect was having him threaten my life when he was in cuffs, the stupid fuck. I have no clue how he is still alive. A man like that, fucking with people the way he does, should have been dead a long time ago. But now, he can rot behind bars while you and Marisa live.

“If you wanna tell me to go fuck myself, Hailey, if you want me out of your life because you still can’t see what you mean to me, then I will walk away, knowing you’re safe. But if you can trust in your feelings and what I am saying to you, then this could be so fucking perfect. Take your time and think it over.” I turn to walk away, then stop.

“I want you sitting beside me in that Vegas courthouse. I want you to see with your own eyes that he can’t touch you. I also want Wednesday nights with Marisa, ’cause that shit is gonna hurt to walk away from, just as bad as it’s gonna hurt if I have to walk away from you. Two weeks till Vegas. Do whatever thinking you need to do; just let me know.”

I walk to the door, with her following, then turn and look into her eyes. “You deserve so much more than to live your life in fear.”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” she hisses as a tear falls down her face.

“Prove it.”

Chapter Twenty

He gave up his house for my daughter—and hasn’t asked me for anything in return yet. Can someone truly be so selfless?

Doubt consumes me. I have spent the last two weeks dwelling, overthinking, and trying to keep pushing forward. True to his word, Morrison has given me space. He also has had his Wednesday nights with Marisa, without fail.

I pick up the envelope on my kitchen counter for what feels like the thousandth time. The contents are still the same—one round-trip ticket to Las Vegas, Nevada. One last trip to settle it all behind me. One last opportunity to face Monte and see with my own eyes that he is going away. One chance to stand there and show him I made it without him. One last moment to stand firm in my future while leaving the past where it belongs . . . in the past.

He no longer has the power. The scale is broken beyond repair, and there are no checks and balances left, no debt to repay. I’m his whore no more.

One trip to stand beside the man who has been my saving grace. One opportunity to move forward into my uncertain but promising future. One chance to show Morrison I want him to be mine and for me to be his. One moment to begin my future while truly letting go of my past. Morrison freely gives me his “balls,” he says. Now I can give him my heart.

For someone who has never known the true love of a man for a woman, I am scared out of my mind. Can this be real?

In the game of love, the Queen of Hearts is wild. She is unpredictable. She is untamed. She sees beauty in the ugliest of situations. She knows what the heart desires, and she may take her time about giving it, but when she’s ready, she lays it all before your feet.

Everything I ever dreamed about is right in front of me if I can only find the courage to take the leap. I have my freedom. I have my daughter. For the first time in my life, I have a true partner. Morrison takes my needs into consideration first. He is patient, he is understanding, and he is damn good in bed.

I laugh to myself at the thought. He stirs up emotions in me that I have never felt before.

He also scares the absolute shit out of me. Morrison Caldwell has the ability to break me in a way Monte never could. Monte held my body, held my loyalty out of duty, and he controlled my life. Morrison holds my heart, captures my body with a simple touch, and he controls my future.