Page 101 of Scandalous Kingpin

“You’re good for him,” she muttered over the line.

“As his kidnapee?” I said.

“No, as his wife. Don’t tell me you disagree.”

“How would you know?” I stalled. She blew air through her lips and clucked her tongue.

“You glow when you’re around him. And he doesn’t have eyes for anyone else. Just you. And since you left him, he’s let the Syndicate business fall to the wayside, giving away docks to the Serbian mafia and purchasing damn surveillance companies in every country you step foot in.”

I sighed. Of course he did.

“You’re hardly objective in this matter.”

“Ivy, don’t insult me, okay? We’ve known each other long enough to know better.”

I sighed. “We have some things to discuss, secrets to come clean on.” There was a pregnant pause, static with things unsaid on both ends of the phone.

“But you love him?” she questioned softly.

“Yes.”

“I knew it. And he loves you,” she murmured.

“What?” I blinked as the wind swept in from the cliffs.

“He loves you,” she repeated, clapping in the background. “When I see you two together, I see chaos and peace. You make each other feel alive.”

So alive I burned.

I traced my wedding ring with my thumb. I hadn’t taken it off since Christian slid it back on.

“How did you know?”

“Because I experienced it with Bas. Because I’ve seen it with Juliette and Davina. Because I see it whenever you’re with my brother. You are fierce and strong, but also kind and gentle. It’s exactly what he needs.”

“And what do I need?” I asked pointedly.

“A man who challenges your heart and your soul.” She was utterly and completely right. “If anyone can give him what he needs, it’s you. And if I may be so bold, I think he gives you exactly whatyouneed.”

“You’re the youngest. You’re supposed to be the reckless one, and here you are giving me sound advice.”

Without hesitation, she said, “Juliette was reckless enough for the both of us. I had to balance us out.”

“She came and saw me,” I admitted. “In Lisbon.”

“She fucked up, but I believe if she could go back, she wouldn’t have done what she did,” she said softly, the words waterlogged with timeless sorrow.

“I’m struggling to move past it,” I murmured, the admission escaping me without permission. “Why would he protecthersecret when I protected his?”

“Because Dante protected him when they were little,” she pointed out softly. “It had less to do with protecting Juliette than it did with his loyalty to Dante.”

“It hurts,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “It’s stupid, but I can’t help it.”

“Just tell him,” she said, her voice thick. “Although, I think moving forward, he’s done with secrets. This is a cycle that will be broken because he’s scared of losing you more than losing his own life. This shit with Juliette was?—”

“A clusterfuck,” I finished for her.

“Yes, a clusterfuck.” Then she added tentatively, “Besides, we all need to get past this. The success of the school we’re putting together hinges on it.”