Page 39 of The Broken Keys

Before I can stop myself, the words spit out.

“Livianna was the woman you were talking about that night, and later you two shared a kiss.” I half-laugh, the sound bitter as black coffee. “It all makes sense now.”

Livianna physically shrinks.

Callum’s brows narrow. “What does?”

I cover my slip like the practiced businessman I am, even as my world tilts off its axis. “Why you’ve been so determined to get your life in order. You have a woman you’re building a life for, and you wanted it running smoothly before that could happen.”

“Exactly.” Cash nods, relief evident. “She’s the woman I told you about.”

The one he said he was destined to be with. The one whose name I didn’t know was written in every chord progression I put my name behind, and whose face I didn’t know was behind every lyric that made CrowneTheory Records millions.

Livianna backs up the conversation as if she’s trying to rewind time, popping her hands to her waist. “I was at the hotel visiting my brother. You weren’t supposed to be there.”

“I know, but after Jaxon agreed to help me and I ran into you, I knew I was on my way to getting you back. That kiss we shared, when your lips met mine, something in me took hold.” He reaches for her.

She jerks away. “I didn’t ask for that to happen. You sprung it on me.”

“Lily, I know that night didn’t go as I had hoped, but for a second, you melted into me and allowed that kiss. Even though you were mad, I knew deep down you still cared. Between Jaxon’s help and your reaction, that was the motivation for me to get my life back together.”

She was upset.

The words bounce around in my mind. She was distressed because she was in a relationship with me. Because what we had was growing and kissing her ex-lover felt like a betrayal of what we were building.

With his declaration, Livianna sways as if she might faint. My instincts have me lunging for her, the same protectiveness that made me create rules to keep her safe.

But Cash is faster, pulling her into his arms and steadying her. “You okay?”

She’s pale as winter moonlight, but brushes it off. “Yeah, I just got a little lightheaded.”

“I knew I should’ve made you breakfast this morning even though you said you weren’t hungry.” He releases her with concern etched in every line of his face. “Let me take care of you and get you something to eat.”

They spent the night together.

The realization hits me like a punch to the solar plexus. Again, I have to suck in a ragged breath.

While I was in Malaysia choosing my business over her, she was here falling back into the arms of the man who wrecked her for years.

Cash addresses me, his voice casual but full of concern. “She picked sleep over food. I should’ve made sure she got both.”

“Callum, stop.” Livianna’s voice is sharp and desperate. “I’m sure he couldn’t care less about the details.”

She peers over at me with something that might be an apology gleaming in her eyes, but it only makes the betrayal cut deeper. Because Idocare. I care more than I ever letmyself admit. I care about the woman who demanded exclusivity.

And most of all, I love the survivor who built an empire while carrying the weight of everyone else’s secrets and lies. I love the firecracker who broke every rule I set because she somehow knew I needed her to.

Cash nods. “Right. I was just making an observation.”

My fingers tighten on the magazine. I brought it in with me to confront her with it, but now it’s evidence of how thoroughly I’ve lost her to her first love.

I step to them and hold it out. “My flight attendant shared this with me. Maybe you two want this copy to memorialize your second chance at love.”

He takes it and unrolls it. The cover shows Livianna smiling as she holds out a piece of pie and a cup of coffee. The headline confirms their reunion in bold, unforgiving print.

Livianna’s head snaps up to meet my empty stare. “I was just giving them a story and being nice. The media have always hated me, and I thought?—”

“You told me that night you were ready to work with them this time instead of rubbing them the wrong way.” He studies her.