Page 86 of Release Me

‘Believe me, I’ve had numerous lawyers look into it. The contract is airtight.’

Rian stares at me as he reaches over the table to take my hand. ‘I don’t want to terrify you, Rebekka, but there’s something I need to tell you.’

My stomach plummets. Nausea rises in my ribcage. I wet my lips.

I’ve been let down my every man who claimed they’d care for me, first my father, then my husband.

If Rian is about to let me down, I don’t know if my heart will survive it.

‘What is it?’ I whisper.

He squeezes my fingers, deep soulful eyes boring into mine. ‘I love you, Rebekka Remington. I loved you from the moment we met. I have no doubt I will always love you. I can’t help it. It’s not something I can control.’

The air rushes from my lungs. I open my mouth, but words won’t come. I was expecting the worst. Not the best.

When I don’t speak, Rian ploughs on. ‘I just want you to know that if you choose to leave him, if you lose the business, you’ll always have me. But I’ll never ever pressure you.’

‘I love you,’ I blurt. ‘I love everything about you. I love the way you make me laugh. I love the way you love me.’ My eyes well with tears, not for the first time because of a man—but for this man. They’re happy tears.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

RIAN

She loves me.

She loves me.

Shefuckingloves me.

The words are still ricocheting through my skull as I stride into the Beckett building on Monday morning, with Callaghan at my side. Truth is, I don’t really need to be here. Elixir’s launch is done; the numbers will speak for themselves. I could just as easily check in from the apartment, where Rebekka is working on her laptop in my bed.

But I can’t dodge my brothers any longer.

They’ve been ringing incessantly all weekend—every one of them desperate for an update after Friday night. I didn’t deny loving Rebekka to them in Wicklow, but Sean is the only one who knows the true extent of my feelings for her, and the length of time I’ve felt that way. But I’m going to have to confess to them all because I have a feeling I’m going to need them. It’s not a conversation I should have in front of her. Not when she finally let herself exhale. Not when she finally told me she loves me.

Now it’s time to face the music.

My brothers all know Anthony is an asshole, but what I need to know is if they’ll stand by me through the fallout. Because if I take his wife, it’s going to be fucking biblical.

The marble foyer gleams as we step inside. A huge portrait of my grandfather hangs in a gilded frame by the reception desk. Callaghan scans the room already two steps ahead. I don’t need him here, there’s always four of Killian’s guys outside the building, but his presence steadies me. The De Courcys are a powerful family—not as powerful as ours—and when Rebekka does decide to leave Anthony, he won’t take this lying down. There’s no telling how ugly it could get.

My PA, Amy, is perched at her desk, neat blonde bob framing her sharp face, headset already in place. Efficient as ever. She straightens when she spots me and flashes a small smile.

‘Morning, Amy,’ I say, shrugging out of my coat.

‘Morning, Mr Beckett,’ she replies, eyes flicking to Callaghan before darting back to me. ‘Congratulations on Friday night.’

I freeze for a second, then realise she’s referring to the opening of Elixir, and not Rebekka’s legs, and thankfully, her heart.

‘Thank you. It was quite the night.’

Callaghan smirks beside me, lips twitching.

I fire him a warning look. ‘Amy, I need you to arrange a meeting upstairs in the boardroom. Ten o’clock. All my brothers.’ My tone leaves no room for negotiation.

She hesitates for a fraction of a second, then nods briskly. ‘Of course. Shall I include Scarlett as well?’

‘Yes.’ As Rebekka’s friend, she will want the best for her, and the best is getting away from Anthony. Whatever it takes.