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"You're welcome to try.If you ever think of going near my wife again, next time I'll stick you with whatever chemical compound Micah has got in those syringes, and I'll let Gwen kick the shit out of you."
Pierce had men outside the door.They were going to take Bronson, clean him up, and put him in his apartment.A ploy like this was going to make me a permanent enemy.
I didn't care though.He had put his hands on Gwen.And while she didn't know what I was doing, I wanted to make sure that she got something out of it.Those donations would make her happy.As for Maria, I'd already set up a trust fund for her kid.She’d be able to go to school wherever she wanted.Bronson was a true piece of shit.And without someone willing to step forward with evidence, actionable evidence that we didn't steal, this would have to do, at least temporarily.
Now all I wanted to do was get home to my wife and wash off the stink of asshole.
Chapter36
Gwen
I was slightly tipsy.
Liar.
Okay, I was more thanslightlytipsy.But honestly, after Lance’s bombshell, I had needed the drinks.I could see that it was tearing him up to have to tell me, so we turned it into a goodbye celebration.
I tried not to think about how he wouldn't be there at my wedding.That he wouldn't give me away.I sure as shit wasn't letting my father give me away either.He’d already done that.I would walk down the aisle by myself before I’d walk down it with him.
When the elevator dinged to let me into the penthouse, I peeled off my shoes, knowing there was no way I was going to navigate the Louboutins on the slick marble floor in one piece while I was tipsy.
The cool floor soothed my aching feet as I marched through the foyer, trying hard to stay quiet so I didn't wake Micah in case he was asleep.If I knew Atticus, he was still up and probably in the study.
I stopped short when I found my husband-to-be in the living area.“Oh my God.You scared me.What are you doing sitting here in the dark?”
He didn't turn to face me.Instead, he sipped a drink.“Did you have fun?”
There was a hollowness to his voice that gave me pause.“Yeah.I guess you know about Lance, obviously.”
He turned then.The moonlight hit every curve of muscle just so, like a caress, enticing me to walk over and touch him.
I laid my purse on the couch and dropped my shoes on the floor next to it before walking over.I took the glass from him and took a small sip, letting the warm amber find its way down, warming me from the inside out.“I wish you’d told me.”
He cocked his head and watched me carefully.“It wasn't my news to tell.He'll thrive in London.”
I lifted my brow.“Did it have to be so far away?”
“It's a good option for him.And before you ask, I didn'tmakehim take it.He could have stayed here, doing exactly what he does now.”
I bit my bottom lip.I had wondered if Atticus had pushed him into it.But even I knew that a chance to head his own department was a huge career step for him.When he’d walked away from his family, he'd given up a lot.The chance for rapid advancement.This would be great for him.“I think it'll be good for him.But he's going to miss the wedding.”
Atticus cocked his head then drained his glass.I could see the light hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.“Is this the part where I pretend to be disappointed about that?”
I playfully slapped his chest, and he caught my wrist.It was only then that I noticed the bruised knuckles.“Atticus?What happened?”
“Will you leave it at I don't want to talk about it?”
“No, I will not.Did you hit something?”
“Yes," he said as he set the glass down on an end table.“Repeatedly.”
I widened my eyes.“Christ.What?It looks like you've been in some kind of cage match.”
He released my wrist and then wrapped his other arm around me, bringing me flush up against his body, the hard length of him pressing in the notch between my thighs.“Let's just say you don't have to be afraid of anything anymore.I took care of it.”
Icy dread skated up my spine.“What did you do?”
“It's better you don't know.But Jacobson isn't going to be a problem.Not for you.Not anymore.”
