Page 132 of See You There

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

“You look like shit,”James leaned against the doorframe to Luke’s office.

He’d been up all night, unable to sleep. “Thanks. I don’t like that they tried to have her identify a Bratva member.” Luke looked up from his desk.

“Yeah, that was a curveball.”

“You need to make sure, during her statement today, that she makes it clear she’d never been to the casino before, and she didn’t know anyone involved.”

“I know you’re not suggesting I advise a client to perjure themselves, Luke.”

Luke rubbed his eyes, blurry from lack of sleep. “No, I'm not suggesting that.” He shoved the papers on his desk violently. “I feel so helpless! She’s not taking any of my calls.”

“It’s been less than twenty-four hours.”

Luke glared at his brother. He knew how pathetic it sounded.

“You really care for her, don’t you?”

Luke sank back into his seat with a heavy sigh. “I think I’m in love with her.” If he hadn’t been so miserable, he would have appreciated the look of shock on his brother’s face.

“But it’s not that simple. She’s furious with me, and it made me think. She has all these dreams about what she wants to do and the life she wants to live, and it’s nothing like what I pictured for my life. After our childhood, I don’t want to live in the spotlight.”

James cocked his head. “The attention is going to be on her, whether or not you’re with her. I hate the public life, too. You know that. But what’s worse? Coming to a compromise about how you live your lives together, or watching her be with someone else? Dahlia is a beautiful, talented woman. Men will line up—“ James held his hands up in surrender when Luke surged to his feet.

“Don’t shoot the messenger. You just met her. This may not be forever. It could just be a relationship. I know that’s a dirty word for you, but they’re not all bad.”

“Because you’ve been in so many?” Luke snarked.

James’s face clouded. “I don’t do relationships.”

“So, it’s okay to analyzeme, but let’s not talk aboutyourissues.”

“I’m not the one who’s fallen in love with someone. The day I do, and I fuck it up as badly as you—then we’ll talk about me.”

“How do I convince her?”

“Do you know what it is you want to convince her of?”

“I want her to forgive me.” Luke’s words were stark, but he didn’t know how else to express it. “I need her. I don’t know how it happened so fast, but it did. I have to try, James. I can’t imagine a life without her, and once she gives her testimony today, our relationship is over. She won’t have to see me again.” Luke felt as if his chest had hollowed out.

James had a strange expression on his face, as if he didn’t know what to do with this uncharacteristic sharing. “Do what they do in the movies. A grand gesture.”

“I think we’ve learned she really doesn’t like surprises.”

James held up a finger. “What we learned is she doesn’t like for you to do things that she already told you not to do. Two totally different things. What is it she wants most? What does she value? Figure that out and deliver it to her. Oh, and one last thing,” James said as he straightened and left the room. “Tell her how you feel.”

“For someone who doesn’t do relationships, you have some pretty good advice.”

James grunted, but Luke heard him laughing all the way down the hall.

What was it Dahlia wanted? Luke spun his pen between his fingers. He checked his watch. They had about forty-five minutes before they needed to leave. James was going to pick Dahlia up at her hotel. She’d balk if she saw him there, but Luke had every intention of meeting them at the courthouse. Luke knew Dahlia must be nervous.

James had mentioned how pale she was during the lineup, and he hated he hadn’t been there for her. Closing his computer, Luke rushed upstairs to take a quick shower and change into a suit. There was no guarantee she’d stay in the city after the premiere, and that was only two days away. He had two days to convince her to give him a chance.

As he straightened the knot on his silk tie and grabbed his suit jacket, it suddenly hit him. He knew exactly what would make her happy, and even if it wasn’t enough to make her understand how he felt, at least it would make her smile.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE