Page 88 of Cru's Crush

“Your mother knew.”

“Why does she, and I don’t?”

“Because it’s a secret only shared with the love of a caballero’s life.”

“Won’t you lose your membership card for telling me?”

He smiled. “Nah. I’ve got Cru’s proxy.”

To my chagrin, my eyes filled with tears. “This isn’t funny, Beau. In fact, you’re cruel.” I stood and walked toward the door.

“Don’t leave, Daphne. The last thing I meant to do was hurt you.”

“I’d hate to see what you’d do if you did. Use a knife maybe?”

He chuckled—again.

“There’s nothing about this that’s laughable.”

“You’re right. It’s just that Cru said the same thing.”

“Beau!Why are you doing this?”

He got up, walked over, and pulled me into his arms. “Because I love him and I love you and this impasse must end.”

“What does any of this have to do with your vigilante group?”

He led me over to the sofa rather than the chairs where we’d been seated a minute ago and pulled me down beside him.

“The answer is two-fold but designed to accomplish the same thing.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Beau held up his hand.

“If you stop interrupting me, I’ll tell you.”

I shut it and nodded.

“The men in the other room—some you know quite well and others I think you’ve met at least once in your life—are here to help your father in a continuation of what you started. Brilliant, by the way, that you asked Hewitt and my father to make themselves unavailable to vote your father off the board. It bought valuable time. As far as what I mean to accomplish, my ultimate goal is to convince you to return to California.”

“I can’t.”

“What if Steve Dorian was completely out of the picture, as were the board members who’ve sided with him? Then would you go?”

“It’s too late. Cru walked out, and I haven’t heard a word from him since he left.”

“Count yourself lucky. No one I knowwantsto talk to him.”

“Don’t, Beau. I love him.”

“Yes, Daphne, I know you do. And he loves you. The two of you belong together.”

“You asked if I’d go if Steve Dorian was out of the picture. How do you intend to make that happen?”

“Not me, the Viejos.”

I rolled my eyes. “How was it I was with you for so long? You are one of the most maddening people I’ve ever known.”

Beau took my hand in his. “We kept each other company while I was waiting for Sam and you were waiting for Cru.”