Page 135 of Devious Love

I think I know the answer. I’m pretty sure I figured it out some time ago, but I play dumb. “Because you wanted to escape the madness of wedding preparations.”

He smirks. Miles chuckles.

“That was a nice perk, but I did it for you. For you and Mia. So you could spend some time together, maybe make amends. I love my sister, and I want her to be comfortable at my wedding. Hell, I want her to stay in Monterey. I don’t think I could handle it if she ran again.”

I arch an eyebrow. “And you think I could stop her?”

“I don’t know, man. Do you really want her to stick around?” He tilts his head to the side, studying me. “We gave you the push you needed, but you haven’t done shit to win her back. What the hell happened yesterday? She was smiling when we left for the hike, and halfway through, she was on the verge of tears. Then, she spent the rest of the night being distant with everyone.”

The coffee in my mouth turns bitter, but I choke it down. His words are like a punch to my gut.

“She wanted to know why I broke up with her.” I hold his gaze. “She deserved to know the truth, so I told her.”

“And you thought she’d react well?” Miles asks. “That she’d take in that information, give you a pat on the shoulder, and brush it off?”

“I expected her to be pissed. She has every right to be.” I lick my lips. “But in order to truly fix things, she needs all the information. I don’t want to hide, to lie or omit the truth. She doesn’t deserve that. I fucked up, and I own it. It’ll be a miracle if she forgives me, but I’m willing to take that risk. For her, I’ll do anything.”

Miles is still watching me with narrowed eyes when Matt sighs.

“You thought you were doing the right thing back then, I get that. And it was hard for you when she left and didn’t come back. I forgave you a long time ago. You’re still my best friend, my brother, but I’m scared you being so bold is gonna push her away again. This time, if she leaves again, she won’t come back.” He hangs his head. “I don’t know…”

I take a step closer, my grip on my mug tightening. “You don’t know what?”

“If this trip was a good idea.” He looks up at me, head still bowed. “Maybe it would’ve been better to keep you two apart until right before the wedding. Maybe she’s not ready for all this.”

My stomach sinks. I understand where he’s coming from, but it hurts that he doesn’t think I’m good for her.

I set down my coffee and step up to the table where he and Miles sit. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. She breathed life into me. With her by my side, I finally realized my injury wasn’t a death sentence, that this world had more to offer than I allowed myself to believe. No matter what you think, I know I’m the right person for her. I can make her happier than anyone else can. She was happy with me once, and I can makeher happy again. I don’t care how long it takes. I’ll win her back. I’m not letting her go, Matt.”

For a moment, he studies me, his expression unreadable. Then, a small smile tugs at his lips. “You better mean that.”

“Never been more serious in my life.”

There’s a beat of silence between us, but then, Miles claps, wearing a smug look.

“Look at you, Watson. So sure of yourself. You have a plan?”

I shrug. “Something like that.” Then, I focus on Matt again. “Do you mind if we skip the spa visit? I want to head back to Monterey early and show her something.”

He sits back, arms crossed. “I don’t mind, but she might.”

“Nah. I’ll be very convincing.”

“Or just dominant,” Miles chimes in. “Your broody asshole aura definitely makes people want to tiptoe around you.”

I huff. “You should be tiptoeing around me, alright. Especially after you decided to spend some…private timein the living room.”

The smug look is back. “What can I say? We got caught up in the moment.” He lifts his mug in salute. “Now, we’re even. I was a witness to your private time once.”

“Not the same.” I laugh.

Matt frowns. “Do I wanna know what you’re talking about?”

Miles and I exchange a look. “No,” we say in unison.

Mia’s suitcaseis in my trunk, along with my duffel bag. She and Luna are still inside. While we wait, I take the opportunity to smoke one last cigarette before the drive.

I mentally prepare myself for her reaction. She may not handle it well, but it’s the only way to get her to listen to me, even if I am kidnapping her.