Easton

“When we were in camp, she didn’t know who I was or my wealth. I kept so much from her, only telling her what she needed to know. She deserved so much more from me.”

“You are aware Scarlett was once wealthy in her own right?” Liam asked.

Easton stopped walking. “What?”

“Her family, her name wasn’t always Knight. Her name was Tallia. You should recognize the name. They’re not rich on your scale, but they are well-known.”

“No fucking shit. You’re kidding me?”

“Nope. Scarlett Tallia, heiress to a small fortune. She was set to marry some bachelor. I forget his name. The family lost all of their wealth in the housing crash. Her family is struggling to stay afloat.” Liam smiled.

“Let me guess, you’re the one making sure they have a hard time?” Easton asked.

Liam had made it his mission to hurt all of those who had hurt Scarlett. With Easton, he always held back because he knew Scarlett loved him. There was no denying his woman’s attraction to this man, even after what she’d told him he’d done. She never wanted to admit it, but she did love Easton, and no matter what teenage assholery had happened between them, the love hadn’t died, and Liam had no intention of pushing Easton away, especially as he saw the other man loved her. With Easton becoming part of them, he wanted to do something to show Easton that he was loved and wanted by the both of them.

“I have a way of prolonging my torture,” Liam said. “Her parents disowned her without a backward glance. I take exception to their treatment of her. Since learning the truth of who she is, I’ve made sure to make their life uncomfortable. Victory is not in a quick death. It’s in learning your opponents’ weaknesses, drawing them close, and taking their fortune right from under them.”

“Wow.”

“Scarlett could have died because of them. She had no choice but to survive on her own.” Liam looked at Easton. “You got a problem with how I handle those who hurt the people I care about?”

“So long as it doesn’t break the law.”

This time Liam threw his head back and couldn’t control his laughter. “You’re funny.”

“I’m being serious. She would hate it,” Easton said.

Liam shrugged. The Tallia fortune was crippled, and he loved to watch them search for an investor. No one would touch them, and it’s exactly how Liam wanted them. He had a meeting set up for three weeks, where he would reveal the cause of all of their problems. By that time, they would be broke, and Scarlett would be free.

“Easton, I’m not a crook or a criminal. I will never do anything wrong, I promise. I have spent my life making sure I protect this country. I won’t let anything jeopardize that, and I know how to protect the ones I love.” He would simply do whatever it took to take care of those he loved, regardless of what others said.

Chapter Eleven

Over eleven years ago

“Tell me one of your hopes and dreams,” Scar said.

Easton glanced across the picnic table, not really sure what her question was about.

“My hopes and dreams?”

“Things you hope to achieve for the future. That kind of thing.”

“You tell me one of yours.”

“That’s cheating. I asked you first.”

He chuckled. “Tell me something and then I’ll know what you mean.”

“It’s not a hard question.”

“To you, maybe not, but to me, it’s pretty fucking hard.” He didn’t believe in hopes or dreams. He was nothing more than his father’s puppet who liked to play with him from time to time.

“Fine, fine. One day I hope to settle down, fall in love, and be in an actual loving relationship.”

“Seriously? That’s a hope and dream.”

“If you knew my family, you’d totally understand why I have that kind of dream.” She pushed some hair off her face. “Come on, it’s your turn.”

“This is a lame game.”

“It’s not. Come on. We clearly don’t have great lives back at home. Tell me what it is you’d love to do if your family or friends had absolutely no control over anything you did.”

Easton looked at Scar across the picnic table. She twirled her spaghetti around her fork, and she looked in control, calm, as if these questions were not hard. They were. He didn’t have a chance of ever fulfilling his dreams.

“If I didn’t have to worry about what happened at home, I’d find someone who only loved me for me. What do you think?”

“You’re wanting someone to love you?”

“Pretty much. Lame huh?”

“No, not at all. I rather like it.” She grabbed her soda, lifting it up. “To falling in love. Hopefully, there will be someone within our future who’ll love us no matter what.”

He picked up his own soda and tapped it against the metal of hers. “Here’s hoping.”

****

Present day

Rather than wait for the appropriate time at five o’clock to leave work, Easton left at lunchtime. They had a little time before Junior needed to be picked up. He’d never felt this nervous before.