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“No, I needyou. Here. Always.”
My lungs constricted and I pressed a hand to my chest. Sakes alive, I ached for him.
The bell above the door chimed and I left my office in the back to come out front. Matty was there, her expression flat and angry.
“Hello, Matty,” I called.
She didn’t greet me. Instead, she slapped a piece of paper on the counter. “You broke him.”
My jaw fell, but I quickly recovered. “What are you talking about?”
“You fucking broke him, Belle. And I need you to fix him.” She pushed the paper over. “Look at that.”
I looked down and almost swallowed my tongue. “This can’t be real.”
“Oh, it’s real. He’s out on the campaign trail already.”
I studied the advertisement, which was a very gentlemanly portrait of one William Baxter, candidate for the position of mayor. Of New York City.
I couldn’t help it—I laughed. “This is absurd. He’ll never get elected.”
“You know who he’s running against, yeah?”
My amusement died. Dan Kelly was the current front-runner in the mayoral election. I still possessed the evidence against my father, but I hadn’t released it on the condition that he left the gangs alone. “Why is Bax doing this?”
“To win you back. To be worthy of you.”
I locked eyes with her. Matty was deadly serious, unhappiness etched in the lines of her face. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“He hasn’t said as much, but I know what’s going through his thick head. Belle, this”—she pointed to the paper—“is going to ruin everything and likely get us all killed.”
I knew the gangs were territorial. Any sign of weakness was seen as an invitation for enemies to attack. “Is there a chance you’re exaggerating?”
“No. The other gangs won’t allow Bax to ascend to fucking royalty. It’s one thing to have a politician or two in your pocket. It’s another to have all the pockets and all the politicians at your disposal.”
It would be unprecedented power in the city. Bax would control not only the underworld, but the political world, as well.
“Shit,” I muttered.
That got her lips to twitch. “You’ve really taken to cursing in these last few months. I approve.”
I shoved the paper toward her. “I don’t know what you expect me to do.”
“You have to talk to him. Convince him this is a bad idea. Take him back. Kiss and make up.” She lifted the paper and shook it. “Because he will die if he pursues this.”
“You say take him back as if that’s an easy decision.”
Bending, Matty rested her elbows on the counter. “Please. You named the place Belle’s, after all. Those dark circles under your eyes haven’t let up, even when the store started to turn a profit. You’ve lost at least fifteen pounds. Maybe more, the way your dresses hang off you. When will you admit you miss him, for Christ’s sake?”
Damn. Why must this woman be so perceptive?
I lifted my shoulders. “If he won’t listen to you, then he certainly won’t listen to me.”
“Wrong. You’re the only person who convince him he’s worthy exactly as he is.”
“I don’t see how—”
“He’s miserable and he loves you,” she repeated softly. “This is a last-ditch effort to win you back. Even if it’s just to tell him it won’t work, go and talk to him, please.”
