Page 11

Ha-joon

I had thought I’d beat Ellie to her condo given she had to talk to the police and handle more, but then again, I’d had to talk to them as well. And security.

And I’d stopped for flowers.

That had always been the plan since I was going to talk to her tonight anyways. It was well past time. That was glaringly obvious from her comments earlier today.

So yeah, I’d been ready to wait outside her door, but instead I realized someone was already inside. I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out before ringing the bell.

And no one answered. I waited a whole minute and no one answered.

Did she think it was someone random or… I had no idea how many people even knew where she lived. I’d learned more about her today and she wouldn’t be happy about that, but it wasn’t my fault.

People weren’t even gossiping. My hearing was just too good.

I rang the bell again, feeling like an asshole when I did it a third time. I should have taken the hint, but I was pretty sure that I would have had a hard time coming back if she didn’t open now.

She looked less than thrilled when she pulled open the door… In a bathrobe, dripping wet.

“Shit,” I hissed.

“Yeah, idiot,” she grumbled and spun around.

I caught the door before it closed and came inside, locking it behind me. “Sorry, I thought… I wasn’t thinking just—ya know and—sorry.”

She didn’t say anything until she returned several minutes later looking as if she’d finished her shower.

She sighed heavily as she gestured in a weird way as if to all of me and maybe my issues that followed me in?

“I really don’t have the mental nor emotional energy for all of this and I had a piece of the funny brownie.

I just don’t have the energy to kick you out either. ”

“Okay then,” I muttered, unsure of how to handle that and my plan of groveling not going well. I extended the flowers to her. “I was going to come talk to you today anyways, not just—”

“Because you played my white knight?” she drawled, ignoring when I frowned. “Though I can’t even be mad. I wouldn’t have sat still either if someone pulled a gun on you. We’re people who dive in. It’s fine.”

“I wasn’t really looking for a thank-you, but I didn’t think I was going to be in trouble,” I hedged, mentally wincing when she gave me a death look. “For that . I know I’m validly in trouble for a lot.”

“Well, at least you’re not a complete moron then,” she mumbled.

“I picked up Chinese on the way home. Help yourself.” She rubbed her neck and frowned.

“Just because I’m letting you in and feeding you doesn’t mean we’re okay.

You’re a super huge dipshit. I’m just being an adult. You should try it sometime.”

Oh, ouch.

“Can I explain?”

“Can you?” she mocked as she headed for the kitchen.

I let out a slow breath. “Are you open to hearing where my head was? You said you didn’t have the emotional energy for all of me and my issues. I didn’t know if that meant be quiet or just don’t expect a response from you.”

“The latter, but I’m less pissed at you that you’re making that distinction and genuinely checking,” she admitted as she loaded up two huge plates. “And I wasn’t being a grammar shit. I was asking if a man could explain his feelings after being so stupid.”

“I hope so. I hope I can put this into Ellie,” I admitted.

“Alright, let’s see how this works,” she accepted. “I retained most everything after the last brownie fun. Maybe this is the better way to handle conflict.” She snorted. “It would be nice if I got to handle problems like this.”

Fair enough.

I told her what I’d figured out at home, what Mum had helped me understand and then even what my mates had clued me in on. I was honest but tried to be concise as we ate.

She waved at my chest when I was done. “Take off your shirt. I’ll be less annoyed at you for comparing me to that slutbag in any way even if I know it wasn’t really about me but your issues.”

I slowly blinked at her for a moment and then mentally shrugged, yanking off my sweater and staring at her as if to ask what next.

She burst out laughing. Ellie let out a magical laugh that was perfect and she almost fell off the chair she was laughing so hard.

She stopped laughing when I went over to help her, pointing back to my chair.

“You’re still in the doghouse. Go sit there like a good boy and hopefully say less stupid. ”

“I can sit there, but I’m sorry because there’s more stupid,” I admitted as I made sure she was stable.

I sighed and took my seat again. “I was going to come right back and text you. I was going to ask to see you, but checking out my sister’s building turned into seeing a couple and—it was interesting—seeing that side of her.

“And then I was asking about the opportunity in Miami. I was going to swing by your office and ask to talk that night, but then I wasn’t ready, and I didn’t want you to think I was distracted or wanted to use you.

” I hurried on when she frowned. “Asking about American real estate or owning buildings since I’m going to invest with my sister. ”

“Is that smart when she’s proven not to treat you right?” she hedged. “Could you really sue your own family if she screws you? How much pressure would your parents put on you not to get involved or make problems for the family?”

I opened my mouth but then closed it, frowning. I let out a heavy sigh and stretched.

“Do it again,” she chuckled when I busted her for watching.

Yeah, sure, I would do whatever made her happy.

“I don’t know, and clearly I needed to talk this through with you since you’re smarter than me,” I grumbled, frowning when she snorted.

“You are. But I didn’t want to mix things.

We do handle things well, but this is the priority.

” I gestured between us. “But you were also dealing with all the fucking fallout with the board. It seemed selfish—”

“You don’t get to decide that. I decide that,” she snapped. “Don’t decide things for me. I was texting you asking if you were okay and reaching out—”

“You’re right,” I said firmly. “You are completely right and I was an idiot—I am one.” I let out a slow breath when she seemed to accept that and calmed down. “I shouldn’t have made the decision for you and you’re right. I would just like to explain where my head was at.”

She took a large, angry bite but then gestured with her fork for me to go ahead.

“You were overloaded and looked overwhelmed. Adding to that when I’d been stupid seemed cruel.

It seemed like I’d be trying to break you.

I couldn’t help you, so I could at least stay out of your way.

I was raised not to be a problem and to stay out of the way.

” I frowned as I realized how true that was, folding into myself a bit.

“That’s clearly not a line from what I’m getting off of you and you just realized how badly you’ve been treated and trained,” she mumbled.

“Yeah, I don’t think I saw the way it leaked over before,” I whispered, staring at my plate.

“How easily I push what I want or need to the side so I don’t bother others.

And now I just found out part of it was a lie.

My brothers were setting me up so I didn’t get closer to my dad.

They’re always so worried I’ll want to become Alpha or—it’s fucked.

“I’m sorry my fucked leaked over so I didn’t handle this better.

I let it go too long. It should have just been the weekend, and I should have told you like an adult.

You’re right on that. Saying I needed a time-out to sort my head is completely acceptable.

I just—it went too long, and I kept thinking just push it back a day until things calm down for you and don’t bug you. ”

“I understand where your head is, and I even appreciate the consideration, but I’m mostly pissed you ignored what I was saying for you to decide what was better for me, Alpha .”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I whispered. “I really didn’t. I see how it came off like that, but I swear it wasn’t my goal or where my head was.”

She didn’t say anything for several minutes and just kept eating, my wolf practically squirming as she did.

Hell, he was ready to show her our belly just to get out of trouble or feeling this pressure from her.

“Only time will tell. Your actions don’t fit your words, and as much as I want to believe you, I need to see the pudding. ”

That took me a moment. The proof was in the pudding, right, got it.

I nodded and opened my mouth to apologize again.

“But part of this was my not telling you things. I’m glad your friends sorted you out on that, but you need to accept that I won’t tell you shit.

We’re not even fucking dating and we barely know each other.

You told me a lot and I accept that—am always willing to listen.

Just because you told me about your family does not make me obligated to tell you dick, and I won’t be—”

“You’re right,” I agreed.

“Stop fucking interrupting me,” she blasted, rage and something else in her eyes.

Fear. My wolf scented it and that was why he was squirming. This was setting her off and she was afraid.

Not of me. Of the past repeating itself?

Was I acting like Tommy Fitz to her?

I really, really hoped not.

I didn’t say anything for a moment, unsure of how to handle this.

Then I decided to just be honest, pushing my hair back and letting out a long breath.

“I’m not interrupting to be dismissive or because your words aren’t important, Ellie.

My wolf and I don’t like seeing you this upset.

The more you’re talking, the more your anxiety and anger are rising. ”

“That’s for me to decide,” she mumbled. “I appreciate you caring, but I just got out of an emotionally abusive and manipulative relationship. Even I understand that I need to feel that I’m being heard and not brushed off.”

“You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry.”