Ruthless Rival

"Please, let me apologize."

"That's not necessary."

"Please," she says.

I nod.

"I'm sorry I wasn't forthright. Truly. I should have told you what happened to Bash. I should have told you I knew you. But I—"

"You didn't know if you could trust me."

"No. I trust you. I have. But I… I was embarrassed," she says. "To admit it. To admit how desperate I've become."

"You're trying to protect your son."

She nods.

"That's what we both want."

"Thank you." She throws her arms around me. "For everything."

My phone buzzes twice. Xavier's signal.

Then his knock.

Celine releases me. Composes herself. "Thank you."

"Promise you won't go back to him?" I ask.

"I promise."

My shoulders fall with relief. Everything else is a mess. But if she sticks with that—

If she and Seb are safe—

Then it really will be okay.

I open the door.

But it's not Xavier.

It's Simon.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

VANESSA

"Vanessa—" Simon reaches for me. Stops himself. "I need to explain." He looks past me.

Sees her.

Recognitions spreads over his face. "Your guest."

He stares, dumbstruck.

I've never seen it before.

Simon Pierce speechless.

It should send warmth through my body.

Instead, I'm cold all over.

"I'm sorry," he says. "I didn't mean to scare you."

But he did.

And we both know.

"I love you," he says.

It doesn't sound the same.

It doesn't sound like potential and possibility.

It's not beautiful or sweet.

It's a noose.

I see the desperation in his expression.

But it's not a need to prove his love or a need to keep me safe.

It's anger and hate and hurt.

His fist smacking that man's flesh.

A desire to cause harm. To kill.

I can't blame him.

If someone hurt Lee, I'd want to kill them too.

I understand it—intellectually.

But now it's happening.

I close my eyes, and I see my mom huddled in a corner. My biological father swinging his arm.

The cries and bruises and dread.

He's not safe anymore.

Nothing is safe anymore.

Xavier arrives just in time.

He looks at Simon. Opens his mouth to tease me. Stops himself. "Is Mr. Pierce assisting?"

Simon looks to Celine.

She nods.

I shake my head.

Xavier steps inside. Pulls the door closed. "Ms. Moyer, can we speak privately?"

"Two minutes." I lead him into my bedroom.

He presses the door closed. "It's late. We won't make it to the safe house before closing. Mr. Pierce lives in a secure building. The three of you should stay tonight."

"I can't," I say.

"The two of them?"

"If Regina clears it," I say.

"Are you okay?"

"No."

He doesn't probe. "We'll be fast." He nods with understanding then shifts into the take-charge, no-nonsense man I know. "She'll be safe. I promise."

I nod.

"I'll give you a minute." He ducks out of the room. Moves around the main room. Helping Celine pack. I don't know.

I lean against my thick door until Xavier knocks. Two short knocks. His code.

The main room is cleaned of Celine's things. And of her and Seb.

Xavier nods. "Thanks for your hard work, Ms. Moyer." He nods something else to Simon. Then he leaves.

And it's us.

And the eight million fucked-up things between us.

"I do love you," Simon says.

"I know."

"Come over. Please. Stay with us." He offers his hand. "Hold my hand when I say goodbye to my nephew."

"Simon—"

"Please, Vanessa."

"I can't. I'm sorry. I… I can't do this."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sorry."

His heart breaks in front of me.

He reaches for me one more time.

Again, he stops himself.

This time, he turns, and he leaves.

And I'm alone.

And nowhere is safe.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

SIMON

When I was first investigating my brother's death, I learned about Celine's pregnancy.

I didn't know if the child was Bash's or her husband's, but I knew I couldn't act until he was safe.

How could I put an innocent in harm's way?

Even if he shares his DNA with a monster.

Now that I'm here across from him?

I don't have to ask to know.

They have the same blue eyes.

The drive is fast. Xavier is good. He secures the apartment. Helps us inside.

Thankfully, Opal is at Briar and Liam's place. Secure.

Xavier assures me Vanessa isn't in physical danger.

He doesn't add don't get the wrong idea. She's not okay. You hurt her, asshole. But it's in his stare.

He does another pass on the apartment, then he goes to check the building.

Leaves me alone with my nephew and the woman who stole my brother's heart.

I never understood how Bash could be so stupid, so reckless.

Now, I do.

I'd do anything for Vanessa.

No matter the danger.

If there was some man who might hurt me for loving her—

I'd never let that stand in my way.

Bash didn't have a chance. Not with Cole willing to play dirty.

"I didn't expect to meet again this way." Celine settles on the couch with her son in her lap. He's asleep. Peaceful. Beautiful.

"Me either." I try to remember to host her. "Do you want something to drink?"

"No. Thank you."

"Dinner?"

"I ate at Vanessa's."

"Your son?"

"Seb."

Fuck. She named him after Bash. "He'd love that."

"I know," she says.

I met Celine briefly a few times, but I didn't know her. Only what Bash said.

She's exactly as he described her.

Gentle.

Beautiful.

Luminous.

Scared.

She's still scared, now.