Page 37 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

“He put cameras on your house without your permission. That’s illegal and invasive.”

“Normally, that may apply. But with Talon, it’s a love language. He’s quite protective.”

“Are you brainwashed?”

“No, Joseph, I’m not.”

“But look at him, he’s not your type.”

Fucking judgmental asshole. How dare he?

“I can’t look at him right now because every time I do, my insides nearly explode and my brain focuses on one thing. Since I have to deal with you, and sex on the sidewalk is considered public indecency, gawking at him isn’t smart.”

“Fuckin A, Lo.” Talon’s voice is loaded with heat.

Focus on the issue at hand, Willow!

“As I was saying. Let me put this all together. I was swamped with school, stressed out about the changes in my life starting a Doctorate program, and you found solace in my sister?”

“Can we discuss this in private?”

“Not on your damn life.” The bitter ferocity in Talon’s tone is a clear indication this needs to speed up.

Joseph scowls at him and then turns his attention to me. “It wasn’t like that. It was gradual.”

“Who made the first move?” I repeat my inquiry, and Talon’s grip is almost painful.

“It was mutual.”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Joseph, man the fuck up and answer the question. Out of all the women in the world to cheat with, you chose my sister. Don’t spare my feelings now.”

“I don’t remember. We both crossed the line. After it happened, I knew what I’d done was unforgivable.”

“Why not break up with me then, instead of stringing me along?”

“I was confused and hurt. Our relationship was crashing and you kept choosing school over me. You and I were falling apart. Rylee listened. She understood what I was feeling. The more time we spent together, the more we had in common. She supported my career and encouraged my ambition.”

My ears ring and I shake my head, wondering if I heard him correctly. “She supported your career and encouraged your ambition? Do you fathom how idiotic and ironic that sounds?”

He realizes his mistake at the same time a low rumble vibrates from Talon. “Princess, he’s out.”

“One more minute, baby, this just got fun. When did you decide it was time to let me in on your affair?”

He gulps, his face paling. “We didn’t set out to hurt anyone. Gradually, we fell in love. That’s when I knew to end things.”

“And a week later you stood in my family home with my sister?”

“It was Rylee’s idea to come out to the family. She thought it was best. Obviously, that backfired.”

“Backfired?”

“I’ve lived with regret every day. It shouldn’t have come out that way.”

I should be pissed, enraged, devastated; instead, a sense of harmony settles over me.

And pity.

Joseph Wynn was conned, and he has no idea. The polite thing to do would be to accept these answers and send him away. But I’m not the same woman he knew. The disgrace I endured deserves justice.

A sense of liberation courses through my system.

“Our first Christmas together, you gave me a diamond necklace. Rylee was jealous. My birthday, you took me out of town. Rylee was jealous. That night of your promotion dinner, you chose one of the hottest spots in Nashville, regardless of my schedule. Rylee knew she had a shot. You say she understood you were feeling neglected, but that’s not true.

Rylee has never been neglected in her life.

My family bent to her will more than was healthy because she was the baby.

She’s a spoiled brat who didn’t play well with others.

She gets what she wants no matter who or what gets caught in the crossfire.

Which is why she set her sights on you. It was easy.

I had something she wanted. You chose her, humiliated me, put a chink in my family, and enabled her behavior by proposing.

I’m over it, have been for a long time. You are marrying my sister. No big deal. Why are you here?”

Joseph pales as the realization sinks in. He glances at Talon, then me. “I postponed the wedding. Rylee isn’t who I thought she was.”

“You’ve said that already. What does that have to do with me?”

“I’m sorry for what I did.”

“Okay.”

He rocks back on his heels. “Okay?”

“Yes, when someone apologizes, you accept or don’t. I accept. Doesn’t mean I forgive you for the deception or betrayal, but men have been seduced since the dark ages. That’s your weakness. It isn’t my problem. I’m grateful for the experience.”

“You’re grateful?”

“Yes. I lived with the shame and insecurities for a long time. You were right earlier; I am about structure and security. Spontaneity wasn’t natural.

Taking risks terrified me because it didn’t fit into the square I boxed myself into.

That line of thinking almost cost me the chance at living my best life. ”

“You’re living your best life? With him?” He tips his head to Talon.

“Every second of every day. He taught me what true love is.”

“Willie, he’s not the kind of man?—”

I cringe at the nickname he chose long ago, trying to stand out from my family. I never liked it, but it made him feel like he had something of his own. Not anymore.

“Willow. There is no Willie and never was. That was me placating your ego. And how dare you judge what kind of man Talon is? Your track record of morality isn’t golden. He’s everything to me.”

He looks stricken but I don’t stop. “I don’t mean to hurt you, but what we had is nothing compared to the dynamics of my and Talon’s relationship.

You were right, we were falling apart. Our connection was comfortable and stable.

Boring at best. But knowing what true love is and feeling its depths down to my soul is everything.

Talon gives me that a million times over because he has my back.

When the truth came out, I wasn’t devastated at losing you, Rylee, or eventually my mom.

If something happened to Talon, I wouldn’t survive. ”

Talon’s mouth comes to my jaw. He skims his lips over my earlobe, causing an all over tremor. “Princess, stop talking unless you want to risk that public indecency charge.”

“You apologized and gave me the answers I needed to hear. Is there something else?” I try to sound confident, which is hard with Talon’s warm breath on my neck.

“There’s more.” Talon straightens, addressing Joseph. “I want you gone, but be sure you hash it all out. Tell Lo why.”

“Why what?”

“Why he kicked your sister to the curb.”

“How do you know anything?” Joseph pales.

“You got another minute before I remove your ass. Don’t waste it asking questions.”

“Talon, what is going on?”

“I should go.” Joseph makes a move, but the ice in Talon’s voice stops him dead.

“Rylee’s arrest got her fired from her job.

She’s drowning in debt and maxed out. Bitch couldn’t comprehend living within her means, so she used her fiancé’s information and opened another credit card, charging the max.

Creditors are sick of waiting for payments.

Joseph here is on the hook for over twenty thousand of that. ”

Shock drums through me. “She charged over twenty thousand dollars?”

“That’s only the portion in his name.”

If it’s possible, Joseph pales even more. “How do you know my business? Who the fuck are you?”

“Told you to leave, man. You pushed your limit by coming here today. Apology was a nice touch, even had me believing it. But your motives are fucking transparent. I don’t fall for the wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

My mind is spinning in confusion at what the hell Talon is talking about, but at the word Wolf, my head snaps to my front window.

I left the blinds cracked this morning because Wolf loves to people-watch.

But even more, he loves to see me pull up and goes wild until I get in the door. He’s does the same with Talon.

With the surprise visit from Joseph, I hadn’t realized how quiet it is.

I wrangle free of Talon’s hold and race to my door, punching in the code frantically, messing up until the lock beeps with warning.

“Babe?” Talon takes my hand.

“Wolf, something’s wrong.”

He types in the code and I pound open the door only to still in shock. My house looks like a tornado hit. Sofa cushions, pillows, and blankets are strewn all over the living room. Lamps are turned over, picture frames are smashed, and wall hangings are now laying on the floor.

“This is Talon, get a few units over to Willow’s. Her place has been vandalized—” I barely hear him as I run through my kitchen, slipping on glass searching for Wolf.

He doesn’t answer as I call his name. My bedroom door is shut, which isn’t how I left it. Before I can open it, Talon is there to stop me.

“Wolf!” I scream again with no response.

“Don’t touch the knob, baby. Let me.” He uses his shirt to open the door and my world stops. My precious dog is lying in the middle of my torn apart bed, not moving.

I launch myself to the bed, curling him in my arms and chanting his name. He doesn’t move, his eyes glassy and unfocused.

“Fuck, give him to me, baby.”

“No!” I wail, sobbing into his fur. “Please wake up.”

A hand slides between my cheek and Wolf’s neck. “He has a pulse, baby. Let me check him over.”

I refuse to release him. The mattress dips behind me and Talon’s body encases mine, his hands prying so we can both cradle Wolf. He feels over every limb and body part.

“Nothing is broken and there’s no blood. He’s breathing strong.”

“Why isn’t he conscious?”

“We’ll get him help.”

Talon holds us tight, comforting my cries until the tromping of boots and commotion erupts in the living room. The stomping stops, sounding close.

“Get me a vet,” Talon demands.

“On it,” Ace replies, and I finally lift my head.

Ace, Ford, and two men I don’t recognize are like giants in my little room, all staring at me with worry.

“Someone broke into my house,” I say flatly.

“We got that, babe.” Ford’s attempt at sounding calm fails, and I’m reminded of Rowan’s similar situation.

“Why?”

“We’ll find out. But you have to come talk to us.”

“Give us a minute.” Talon’s clipped tone sends a shiver down my spine.

The two men I don’t know leave, Ace and Ford staying planted in place.

“Wynn’s still here,” Ace grates out with the same fierce voice as Ford and Talon.

“He was waiting on Willow when she got home. I don’t take him for this. Find out if he saw anything.”

“We need to collect evidence before they take Wolf,” Ford announces.

“What does that mean?” My voice cracks.

“The team will take pictures of him, scrub his nails, teeth, saliva, anything that may be essential.”

“Why would someone hurt my dog?”

“There are a lot of questions, babe. Let us get started.” Ace tips his chin to Talon before disappearing down the hall.

Ford turns his back to us but doesn’t leave. It occurs to me he’s giving me as much privacy as he can while still guarding the door.

Another quiet sob escapes and Talon curls around me, careful of Wolf.

This time, I’m crying for another reason.

I’ve never felt so protected in my life.