I’m a little jealous of her perfect family, especially the badass math-whiz older step-daughter.
“Have fun! And thanks again, lady. I owe you one.”
I’m actually feeling better after the talk and make myself a hot tea to take to the balcony. A dark silhouette leans against the railing, staring into the distance.
“I thought you were still in your office,” I say.
Ward’s head flicks toward me, his hair a sexy mess, then turns back to the skyline. “I couldn’t concentrate.”
“What are you brooding about?” I step up beside him and take a sip of my tea, wrapping an arm around his shoulders—or trying when they’re so broad.
“I’m not brooding. Just thinking.”
“It’s all the same, isn’t it?” I try to joke.
“Brooding implies angst and the inability to control your emotions. I have no emotions, so—”
“If you believe that, okay.” I sputter a laugh.
He glares. “Brooding doesn’t solve shit. I’m trying to figure out the quickest move to corner my father. There has to be a kill shot that doesn’t involve literally shooting him.”
“If he’s after money, have you considered just...paying him? You offered me one point five million dollars to be part of a hoax. You could buy his silence.”
He shakes his head.
“I thought about that a long time ago, but my dad’s a selfish piece of shit with no shame. If I pay him off this time, what’s to stop him from coming back in a few years and asking for more? What if he wants a lot more to play nice? The day will come when he pushes too hard. You don’t negotiate with terrorists for a reason.”
“So beat him at his own game,” I say slowly, then take another long pull of my tea.
“How?”
“Everyone has skeletons. Find his—anything that’s still secret, I mean—and let him know he’ll knock it off or face the consequences.”
Ward snorts gently into the night, shaking his head.
“I wish like hell it was that easy,” he says. “The thing about having no moral compass is there’s no good reason to hide anything. And after the Parnell shit, he couldn’t look worse in the public eye.”
“I find it hard to believe someone as corrupt as your father has nothing else to hide.” I pause, hesitate, but then decide to say the next words. “And, um, I might already be working on it.”
I grin as he throws me a scolding look.
“What do you mean?”
“I enlisted some help from people who know how to dig.”
He bows up, an angry bolt against the night.
“Jesus, Paige. You have someone pecking at my family’s bullshit? Without even asking me?”
Oops. But there’s no backing down now.
I hold his gaze without flinching.
“You’re not in this alone. I’ve told you a hundred times. My cousin’s married to a high-level genius at a major security firm. If there’s dirt to be found, he’ll dab it up and send it over.”
“Goddammit, Paige,” he snarls, throwing his arms up and raking a hand down his face before he looks at me again. “I thought I told you to stay out of this. If you really want to help, do not get any deeper. Understand?”
Holy crap.
I flinch now, but before I can answer, he’s sighing like thunder, pulling me into him. Those massive arms grip me so tight because he cares.
No matter how grumpy, growly, or ridiculous he gets, every touch reminds me of the truth that makes me tear up.
I’m pressed against his chest. His muscles are solid steel shields—but I’m not the one who needs protecting.
Whimpering, I melt into his constellation against the blackness and the soft glow of the city’s lights.
We stand there like that—him holding me up, me a soft puddle against his chest, both of us fully entangled—for God only knows how long.
“I’m sorry as hell. Didn’t mean to snap. My parents can’t ruin—can’t destroy you the way they do everything else. I won’t fucking let them.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper, meeting his eyes.
They’re midnight blue and bottomless in the nightscape.
“I’ve got to get ahold of Nick. Our family bullshit has to stop spilling over into every other part of our lives. Our parents’ bad decisions shouldn’t affect us anymore.”
We peel apart and I nod.
Then he leads me back inside, closes the sliding door, and kisses me.
“You should go to bed. I’ll be there soon,” he says.
“Oh, we’re speaking again?” I sass, showing my tongue between my teeth.
He huffs out a breath. “You’re high-maintenance. When were we not speaking?”
I slap his chest playfully.
“Sure felt like we weren’t. But I’m glad you’re back.” I give him a shy smile.
“And I don’t even think I can live without you anymore,” he rumbles.
This man.
I throw my arms around him and squeeze. “Give me thirty more seconds before your call.”
His lips stamp my head, vibrating with his laugh.
“See? High-maintenance.” He puts his forefinger and thumb under my face, lifts my head, and kisses me passionately.