Page 35 of Oathbreaker

He chuckles. “Unfortunately, I was worried that might be the case.” Then his expression gentles, and he touches my cheek again. “You did a great job with her, Thorny. She’s amazing.”

My lungs hitch, and my heart squeezes and…

God, he’s missed so much.

And I’ve missed him.

And I’ve wished that he was here to meet Frankie too many times to count.

“She’s funny and whip smart and beautiful and I’m so sorry that you had to do it all alone?—”

“I wasn’t alone,” I whisper.

He stills, and I want to take the words back when pain ripples across his face, but before I can, he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “The family you’ve built is beautiful, baby, but I’m still so fucking sorry you’ve borne the truth alone for all these years.”

“I’m not,” I tell him. “That was our night, and it meant everything. I didn’t want to share it with anyone.”

His eyes blaze into mine.

Then he cups my jaw and leans close, his words brushing over my lips. “That night meant everything to me too.”

That’s all I’ve ever wanted to hear.

All I’ve ever needed.

But when he bends to close the distance between our mouths, I put my hand up to stop him.

I want nothing more than to taste him again.

But I can’t.

Not right now.

Not when?—

“I’m with West now.”

Twelve

Colt

Despite how exhausted I am, sleep is a long time coming. I toss, turn, and doze, getting up to go to the bathroom like I’ve suddenly got the bladder of a ninety-year-old. My dreams are riddled with a kaleidoscope of images: the prison, Igor showing up to rescue me, the night Briar and I spent together, Briar kissing West.

It’s frustrating, and the physical pain isn’t doing anything to help my state of mind.

I’m with West now.

Those words play over and over in my head, until I want to punch something. Mostly West. But this isn’t his fault.

I’m with West now.

So close to kissing her, touching her, having her in my arms—her words hit me like a slap in the face.

Regret slices through me.

If you break it down to the very basics, I chose a job over the woman I love. My friends. In my defense, I truly thought I could have it all. I’d have to keep some secrets, but it’s no different than being in the military. That’s what I told myself.

Now I know better.