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I feel better looking at him. Touching him. Knowing he’s here because he wants to be.

This man is so beautiful. And he loves me.

He loves me.

He loves me.

He loves me.

That alone makes me feel like I can do anything.

“Show me what you got me.”

Chapter 52

Chasing Closure

DELILAH

I’m not where I’m supposed to be.

If I’d stuck to my plan, I’d be landing in West Palm Beach, Florida right now to “surprise” Weston in the hotel room Adonis booked for him once he checks out of rehab.

I wanted answers.

But texting Elodie helped me realize one thing, I’ve said all I need to say to my brother.

I wanted to scare him. To threaten him. To make him regret the way he treated me all those years.

But for what?

He knew what he was doing. And my father helped him do it. He’s never been a brother to me. If anything, he tried to become my handler when my father died, and it’s beyond me that I let it slide for so long. I guess that’s the insidious nature of how a manipulator’s mind works. When you’re as sheltered as me, you don’t realize how deep the deceit runs until it’s too late.

So, instead of boarding my flight like I planned, I’m with Indigo on the sidewalk outside the library where we first met. Waiting for Elodie to show up.

She extended her trip once her conference was over so we could meet up.

“Your driver is so serious,” Indigo remarks, casting a glance at the black SUV in a corner of the parking lot. She paces by me just to turn around and head back in my direction.

As she approaches, I chortle at Victor’s job title being reduced to driver, but I won’t be correcting her.

I like her not knowing the true extent of who Adonis is or the people who surround him.

“Do you want to get food after you talk to your mom?”

Masking the bone-deep shiver that works through me in the wake of her innocent question, I catch her gaze on me.

“Just you and me?” She sounds almost timid. “It’s been a while since we did anything alone together.”

I know it’s not my fault, but guilt carves a pit in my stomach. “I’m sorry I just up and left you this summer.”

Understanding shines in her eyes. “I get it. Love can consume you. Especially when it’s new. Just don’t forget about me.”

Just don’t forget about me.

For a whole year, she was all I had, and in her eyes, I left her for a man I had just met. There are so many things I want to say. So many things I should explain. I didn’t leave her for a man. But explaining that would overcomplicate every part of my life that’s finally starting to feel calm.

I’ve got to make peace with the fact some things are better left unsaid.