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“She felt you couldn’t be with her because of her past. All those people who had seen her. People of our social standing. Men like Crawley.”

It’s true. The gentlemen who frequented the club April had danced at were wealthy. They had to be to cover the exorbitant membership fees. The club only hires the most beautiful and talented individuals. It shows that even then, April was a talent that people noticed.

Clubs like these were always associated with rumours regarding additional services. When Elijah uncovered April’s link, he investigated her further. Not that I asked him to. She was young, just nineteen when she started. Fresh out of the conservatoire. Elijah’s investigator had uncovered nothing to suggest April sold herself alongside her dancing. Add-ons had not been part of her act. If they had. Would I feel differently? I’d be a hypocrite if I did. I’ve slept with more women for a lot less. Reading her dossier and knowing the desperate state she was in, alone and abandoned by the system. The fact she hadn’t taken the easy option.

“Caleb, you need to go after her. If she means anything to you. You need to tell her, it’s okay. It doesn’t change the way you feel about her.” It’s Kat who breaks through my daze.

“Damn,” I say, running a frustrated hand through my hair, as I drop into a chair, my head in my hands. “Any ideas how I convince her she’s wrong?” I ask my sister.

The sofa sinks next to me. “Sorry, I’m not the best person to offer advice, especially of the romantic kind. My romance has been one fuck up after another.” I hear the mirth in hervoice, which surprises me. I know her relationship has ended, but she and Zack have been together for years.

I look up at Elijah, who holds up his hands and grimaces. “Definitely not the person to ask.”

I look at him and realise my brother has been to hell and back this past year. All in the public eye. Before that, he’d been in a private hell.

Before I can say anything, he holds up a hand to stop me. “If you’re mad about her, I’m with Kat. You need to talk to her. It will not be easy. She erected walls around her. Those will not be easy to breach.”

I know what he’s saying is true. I searched for an elusive drawbridge during the early part of our relationship, only to find it triple fortified. We’d made progress, but that asshole. Why the hell hadn’t I let her know I knew about her past? I know why. I was hoping, always hoping, she’d trust me enough to tell me herself. Now it’s too late. It’s out in the open, and I’m going to have to coax the horse back into the stable, as it’s way too late to close the gate.

The door opens and we both look up. Mother walks in and stares at the three of us before directing her attention to me.

“You need to go after her,” she tells me. “Freddy will drive you.”

“I can drive myself,” I tell her. I certainly have enough cars in the garage, and I haven’t been drinking.

“No. Freddy will drive you. And before you argue. Security have already removed all the keys from your key safe.”

I stare at my mother, but she simply shrugs.

“I’ve seen you drive. April needs you in one piece.”

I know there is little point in arguing. It will only hold me up. I make my way to the door but stop. Turning to my mother.

“How?” I say, wondering how she seems to have more information than I do.

She quirks a brow, before stepping closer. “This is my house. My guest of honour has left.” She crosses her arms over her chest, her jaw locked. We know that stubborn look well. “I take it, Elijah, you will deal with the person responsible?”

What the… How does Mother know?

“Of course, Mother,” my brother replies, trying to suppress his smirk.

“As for you,” she says, turning her attention to me. “You need to tell April we don’t care. And anyone who does will go through me and the rest of your siblings, capiche?”

I tilt my head. My mother only spits out my grandparents’ native Italian when she means business. For the rest of us, our olive skin is the only sign of our European heritage.

“Of course, Mother,” I grin, copying my brother’s words.

“I’m glad you understand me,” she says.

I make my way towards her, only to have her pull me down and into a hug. She’s a lot stronger than her tiny frame lets on.

“Get your girl,” she says, patting me on the cheek.

I kiss her on the cheek and shoot a final glance at my brother and sister. They tip their chins in an almost identical fashion, letting me know they’ve got mine and April’s back. I love my family.

I make my way out of the door, my mother’s voice following me. “Now, you two?—”

I hear no more as Freddy steps in front of me.