Page 171 of The Broken Keys

“Yeah.” I sit in silence for a moment. “I’m doing fine with that part of my life.”

“Very well. Since you’re clear on that issue, how do you want to move forward?”

“How should I move forward?” I search Sloane’s eyes for clues.

“Livianna loves you. The question is, can you accept that love? Or are you going to sabotage it with your anxiety?”

My throat burns. “I’m trying to live in peace.”

“I know you are.” Sloane eases back. “Right now, the only person threatening your relationship with Livianna is you.”

I fake a laugh. “That’s something I’m really good at.”

“What’s that?”

“Ruining my relationship.”

“Then let’s come up with a plan that you can live with where you don’t sabotage what you want to happen.”

“Now that’s music to my ears.” I take a deep breath. “What’s it gonna take for me to make my dreams come true?”

“That’s a question you have to answer. So, tell me what you have in mind.”

I tap the remote that opens our gate and pull into the driveway when it’s clear. I’m feeling pretty good until I see Jaxon’s car sitting in front of the house.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” I pull into the garage and march into the house. All my nerves are spiked and ready to go.

He comes into view, sitting on the couch, working on his laptop. Livianna’s nowhere in sight.

He stands as soon as he sees me. “Cash, we need to talk.”

“Yeah, I’d say we do.” I throw my keys down on the coffee table. “Why are you here?”

He lifts a pill bottle. “Livianna is taking these?”

“Wait. Before I explain anything to you, you need to tell me how you got into my house.”

“Livianna let me in. She needed help to get inside.” His glare almost burns through me. “It seems she overindulged in pain medication today.”

My heart shrinks.

Shit.

“Where is she?” I work my leather jacket off.

“I helped her into bed. She needed the rest.”

I snap the painkillers out of his hand. “I was worried about her taking these, but I’m trying to follow the doctor’s orders.”

“You of all people know she shouldn’t be taking these.” His chest expands. “You told me she OD’d once before and you let her take them?”

“That’s not how it is.”

“Then how is it?”

“Have you met her? She doesn’t let anyone control her.”

“For fuck’s sake, Cash. Do better.”