Page 130 of The Truth of Us

The words carried, and security moved instantly. The cameraman started to apologize. Elliot didn't even look at him. His attention remained on the crowd. Making sure no one else got close.

Only when security had the door to my SUV opened and a clear path for us did Elliot glance over his shoulder. Our eyes met. For the first time since everything fell apart, there was no anger between us. No pleading or expectations. Just… Relief.

He pulled me in front of him so his back was to the press, and we had a wall of security around us.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

I nodded. "I am now."

His eyes closed briefly. Like the answer had loosened something inside him. Then he smiled. It was small, almost sad.

“Thank…”

Elliot shook his head, cutting me off, saying, "You don't have to thank me. I should have protected you a long time ago."

The honesty of it stole every prepared response I'd ever imagined.

Before I could say anything, one of my guards gently touched my elbow.

"Miss Montgomery."

Elliot stepped aside immediately, giving me space. Never once reaching for me again. I climbed into the SUV; the door closed. As we pulled away, I looked back through the window.

Elliot was still standing on the sidewalk; reporters had turned toward him again. He simply waited until my car disappeared into the traffic.

I leaned back against the seat. My fingers unconsciously drifted to the place on my wrist where he'd caught me. It should have reminded me of all the reasons I shouldn’t want him. But it didn’t. It reminded me of something I'd almost forgotten. For the first time in a very long time… I had felt safe.

32

ELLIOT

Sitting in my office with information I never thought I would have, I have been considering the best way to approach this. But before I could decide, the air shifted as tension filled the space between my office and the executive elevator, and I just knew. I don't need to figure out what comes next because he came to me. It feels like every conversation on the executive floor stopped. Through the glass walls of my office, I see the phones paused midair, assistants suddenly fascinated by whatever is on their computer screens, because nobody needs introductions to the man who is walking towards my office. Alexander Montgomery walked through Northwell as if he belonged there, his expression unreadable.

My assistant jumped from her desk, her eyes darting from him to me. I shook my head, letting her know to let this play out, and Alexander walked in like he’d done it a million times before.

"Mr. Vale."

I stood automatically.

"Mr. Montgomery."

He nodded once.

"I'd like a word."

It was not a request. I felt eyes on me and instinctively looked toward Rowan through the glass wall of my office. He'd already seen Alexander arrive. He gave me the smallest nod before closing the file he'd been reading.

Good luck.

Traitor.

Alexander shut the door to my office behind us; neither of us sat immediately. He walked toward the windows overlooking downtown Chicago, hands clasped behind his back.

"I've spent the better part of the past few weeks trying to understand you."

I frowned. "I'm not sure that's possible."

A corner of his mouth almost twitched. "No?"