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She drops into the chair and presses her hands to her face, exhaling hard.
“I don’t feel that way about Jack anymore, Kai. I just don’t understand why he has been acting the way he has. He’s just not—”
“Acting like himself,” I finish for her. I’m not angry. I know she means something to him, but she doesn’t even know it’s not him.
“Yes,” she snaps. “And it’s so fucking confusing. I’m pissed off and frustrated at both of you.”
“You have every reason to be.” I force the words out. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s not good enough.” Her voice doesn’t waver.
“Then tell me what I can do,” I ask quietly. “Please.”
“Beg.” The word is blunt as she points to the floor. “Beg, or I’m going home.”
I hold her gaze, testing her resolve, but it doesn’t crack. I have never begged in my entire existence. But for her…
I drop to my knees. The carpet presses into my skin as I place my hands in front of her feet.
“Please.” I lift my head. “Please forgive me. I promise I’ll be a good boy. I won’t tell you what to do or force you into anything, I just want you to trust me.”
Her mouth twitches.
“I suppose that’s a start.” She sits back onto the sill again, crossing one leg over the other. “But you’re on probation.”
I don’t look away. I reach out, my hand sliding over her ankle, guiding it toward me. I press a slow kiss to the top of her foot before she lightly kicks me.
“You’ve always answered me honestly when I ask something.” She speaks softly.
I nod. “As best I can. Even when it’s hard.”
She uncrosses her legs and leans down, wrapping her arms around me.
“This must have been hard for you.”
I pull back, confused. “What do you mean?”
“I know it’s not easy to keep a secret because you think it’s for the best.” She searches my face. “I believe you when you say you want to keep me safe. And since that’s the case… I can forgive. But I make no promises for how I respond when I do find out.”
“I don’t expect you to,” I admit quietly. “And I don’t deserve you.”
“Good thing that’s not up to you to decide, huh?” She smiles.
The moment feels so fragile. I could have never imagined how someone who has gone through half of what she has still has so much forgiveness. Even when she doesn’t know what she is forgiving me for.
The moment is broken when the hotel phone rings. I stand and answer.
“Hel—”
“Is she safe?” Cade’s voice cuts through the line. He doesn’t sound furious. That unsettles me more.
“Hello to you, too,” I reply evenly. “She is safe. I’ll make sure it stays that way.”
“Good. Tell her to answer her damn phone next time. You need to keep her away. Our location may be compromised and it’s no longer safe here. Also, don’t ever go behind my back again. Do you understand?”
“Got it.”
“Inform me if you go anywhere.”
