Page 64 of Release

That he’s not tells me…

Well, more than I need to know.

“Case, I didn’t kick him out. That’s not what happened!”

“So you’re saying he’s lying and I need to punish him? Because in all the years I’ve known Declan, he’sneverlied to me. If he’s lying to me now, that means I want him out ofmyhouse.”

I turn to step away and he stands and grabs my wrist. “Casey, I told him to gohome. That his home is withyou.”

I pointedly look down at his hand, where it’s grasping my wrist. He releases me like I just scalded him. No, he didn’t hurt me, but I need to short-circuit his thought process.

“You told him he wasn’t yours anymore,” I said. “You told him to leave. You damn near destroyed him. ThenIhad to pick up the pieces.”

“He’s yours!”

“Really? Because he’s in love with you.”

“Dammit, Case, I can’t loseyou!” He realizes he’s nearly shouting and drops his voice. “Please!”

I harden my heart as I change my plan on the fly. “I was neveryours, George.Ellenwas. Declanis. Making Declan cry isnotthe way to win me over. That just pisses me the hell off.”

I walk over to the couch to grab my shit. “I need to prepare for the staff meeting. Since you don’t want Declan riding with you tonight, and you don’t want him going home with you tonight, Declan and I will meet you at tonight’s event. Tomorrow morning, we’ll be at your house no later than eight for the ride to the airport. Tomorrow night, after we’re all home, you and Iwilltalk.Alone. Until then, you need to nut the fuck up, George, and do your goddamnedjob.”

He’s still standing there when I open his office door and leave.

I don’t look back because I know what I’ll see and it’ll weaken me—his pained, stunned shock.

I have an idea, but the campaign events today and tomorrow are too important. His attention’s divided enough.

I set my stuff down and go to Declan’s office, where I lock us in.

“How is he, Ma’am?”

“I need Alpha Declan for the next couple of days. Personally and professionally.”

“Ma’am?”

“I mean around George. At least for today and tomorrow.”

I hate seeing the hurt expression on his face as much as I hate it on George’s. “I…I don’t know how to do that, Ma’am.”

“Sure you do. You do it all the time.”

“Not with him. Not likethat. Not anymore.”

“Just pretend he’s not who he is.”

He doesn’t look convinced.

I walk over and lean in for a long, sweet kiss that I know will disengage his aching soul for a moment. “I told him that he and I will talk tomorrow night. Alone. I need you to be strong for me, and for him. I need him to have a brief taste of what it will be like not to have his boy. I have personal stuff I have to work out with him, and that’s something you can’t do for me.”

“How long do I have to do this?”

I hug him. “I promise, tomorrow night will be at least a partial resolution.” I don’t want to forewarn him about what’s going through my mind. I need him feeling hopeful right now so he’ll stick to my plan.

I need him determined to make it succeed.

“A partial resolution?” he asks.

“I’m still working through the details. I promise, though, that there will be a long talk between me and George once we’re home tomorrow. Unless he’s not the man I think he is, you’ll probably spend Saturday night with him, at the very least. But Alpha Declanhasto be in the house the whole time while you’re with him until then. You can’t slide, even for a second. Pretend he’s opposing counsel on the biggest case of your life. Understand?”

He nods. “Yes, Ma’am.”

I stand and run my fingers through his hair to straighten it for him. “If it’s any consolation, he feels horrible about last night. He thought he was trying to do right by me. Hedoeswant you.”

“Why can’t you trust him?” he whispers.

I sigh. “Because it’s not as simple as that, sweetie. I wish it were. If it was,noneof this would be an issue.”