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He looked down to where she touched him. “How can you put your hands on me?”
“Pretty easy to do.” She didn’t move her hands. “I missed you, Midas.”
A low breath escaped him. Then he…
He bent down on his knees.
Stunned, confused, Alina started to retreat, but his hands reached out and curled around her waist. His head pressed against her as Midas held her and he said, “I’m so sorry.”
Her hands fluttered in the air, then came down on his shoulders. “Midas?”
“I hate what he did. I want him to be lying. I’m going to find out—if…if he’s lying, maybe we’ll have a chance.”
She didn’t understand. Lying? “What are you talking about?”
“I’m sorry for what he did. I wish that I could have stopped him long ago. A nightmare that should have ended. I never want you to be in pain. And I know you can’t be with me, knowing what my father did. That’s why I backed away. I kept watching you. Kept protecting you. But I knew you didn’t want to see me. I knew it would hurt you. Even though I missed being close to you. So damn much. Because…” She felt the shudder that shook him. “I love you.”
Had he just said—wait… “Midas?” A whisper.
He rose in a rush. “If he didn’t kill her, if it was just a lie, will you give me a chance? Give us a chance? I’m flying out ASAP. Oliver wants me in an interrogation with Henry. Thinks there is a chance Henry is playing one of his mind games. Maybe he didn’t kill her. Maybe there’s more here. Maybe. If Oliver is right, will you give me a chance?”
“You said you loved me.” She went back to that because it was the certainty. There had been no maybe attached to those words. Midas hadn’t said, “Maybe I love you.” Everything else—lots of “if” parts and too many “maybe” choices.
But there had been no hesitation in his declaration of love. For me.
Midas swallowed. “I love you more than anything in this world. And all I want to do is protect you. But it seems like you need protecting from me.”
No, she didn’t. Not ever. “You are not your father.”
Pain etched deep lines into his face. “That’s the last person I ever want to be.”
***
“How long have you been reporting to Midas Monroe?”
Aw, hell. Ophelia had known she’d have to face off with this guy sooner or later. Exhaling, she swung around to find Bradford Wells glaring at her. “Bradford!” she exclaimed brightly as if thrilled by the opportunity to chat with him. “Did you come by to watch Alina on the ice?” She shook her finger at him. “You know practice sessions are closed. Dmitri can get quite snippy about unauthorized personnel being here.”
“You’re fired.”
Dammit. “Excuse me?”
“The detectives have closed the case. Alina is safe. Your services are no longer needed.” So stiff. So annoying.
Her hands went to her hips. “This is because I was chatting with Midas, isn’t it?”
“Want to tell me how long you’ve been reporting to him?”
“I wasn’t technically reporting to him.” She had been in contact with Memphis and with Oliver Foxx, but Ophelia didn’t share those details with the attorney. They were need-to-know. She didn’t see why he should have the info. “Firing me, huh? So what do I get? Two weeks to finish up?”
“You’re done now. Collect your things.” He motioned to one of the security guards who usually guarded the front entrance. “He will see you out.”
Well, crap. “Here’s your hat and don’t let the door hit you in the ass,” she muttered.
“Precisely.” His stern features hardened. “Anyone with ties to Midas Monroe or his father is not welcome near Alina. Those individuals have caused enough heartache for the Bellamy family.”
“Fine.” Like she could win this fight. Ophelia knew a losing situation when she saw one. “But I’m telling Alina goodbye first.” She marched past him and headed for the locker room. Bradford was such a pompous prick. And, okay, fine, maybe she could see where he’d been worried about Midas. But only because the guy didn’t know Midas.
Midas wasn’t some out-of-control killer. She fully believed the man would take a bullet before letting anyone hurt Alina.
