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Bethany pulls her hand free. “Don’t.”
I back down. I have to. “You handled the police and their questions with poise and perfection. I’m not surprised. You’re strong, Beth. Hell, you had the spine and the independence weeks ago to realize you had to cut ties with your dad. You’ll carry on professionally now that he’s gone and I have no doubt you’ll succeed.”
Slowly, she nods. “I’m not going to let my father take my future from me. He’s already tainted too much of my past. I’m damn good at investment counseling, and I love what I do. Multimillionaires and Wall Street bigwigs may never trust me again, but that’s okay. I’ll face the future on my own terms. That’s something I should have done all along.”
“Where will you go?” I ask as we pull up at the inn.
My time with Bethany is almost up—and it’s killing me.
She shrugs. “I don’t know. There’s nothing but terrible memories in San Diego. I’ll probably sell my ridiculously expensive condo I can’t afford anymore and find someplace else to call home. You?”
I’ll be wherever Bethany is, but she isn’t ready to hear that. “I’m going to leave North Dakota. The guy who’s been watching my business back there wants to buy it. I’m going to let him. The sale of my dad’s insurance agency should be complete in the next week or two. Both of my younger brothers are away at college. So I guess I’ll be looking for someplace to call home, too. And a new job to go with it.” Then I take a risk and grab her hand again. “But wherever that is, Beth, I’ll be thinking of you. And only you. You may never believe me because I know I didn’t show you the way I should have, but I love you. I love the way you make me think. I love the way you challenge me to understand you. I love it when you finally let me behind your walls and smile. I love that, when you give your body to me, you do it completely. Most of all, I love your strength and courage. I love the way you didn’t let your father or anyone else defeat you. I love that you’re real and true and that you taught me so much about ignoring my assumptions and listening to my heart.”
She doesn’t say anything, just continues to look down, occasionally swiping at her wet cheeks with a shaking hand.
“Beth…” I tilt her chin to face me.
Her big eyes, the pain twisting her mouth, and the silvery paths running down her face all rip me apart. She didn’t let her asshole father break her, but I just might. I hate that—and myself for hurting her—more than anything.
If Bethany never gives me a second chance, I have no doubt she’ll be my biggest regret.
She closes her eyes as if she can’t take the intimacy of our stare anymore. I want to lean in and kiss her passionately, convince her I mean every word I say. We’re only inches apart… But that’s not what she needs now.
Instead, I press my lips softly to hers—a breath, a brush. A good-bye.
When I ease back, I see Maxon, Griff, Noah, and Evan all hovering on the lanai, looking grim. Just beyond, I spot the women gathered in the great room, heads bent together, hands clasped. I hazard a glance Bethany’s way. She looks relieved to see everyone and yet more than nervous now that the moment is upon her.
“I’m here if you need me,” I vow.
She shakes her head. “I’ve got this. It’s something I need to do. It would be better if you left and didn’t come back.”
I’m hurt but not surprised by her answer. “Take care of yourself. If you need or want me for anything—ever—all you have to do is call.”
“I’m done being blindly loyal. And you’ve proven that I can’t trust you.”
Before I can reply, Maxon and Noah are at my door, opening it. Bethany exits the car on the other side, and Griff pulls her straight into his waiting arms.
“We know,” her oldest brother says somberly. “News travels fast on an island this size.”
At least Bethany won’t have to break the news or explain everything again. Instead, Griff and Evan lead her inside the house. All the women rise and greet her, Harlow the first to hug her and offer both affection and condolences. I’m so relieved that Bethany won’t be alone tonight.
“Thanks for being here for Beth,” I tell the other two men. “She’s really broken up.”
“We know she is,” Maxon assures me.
“Not only is he gone, she watched the son of a bitch die…”
Noah winces.
Maxon lets out a curse. “I’m sorry for her. I hated my father, and I’m neither surprised nor upset that a former client offed him. But I wrote him out of my life to preserve my mental health long ago. Bethany only realized his true colors a few weeks back, and before she could even reconcile the reality with the fairy-tale father she thought had raised her, he’s gone.”
