“He got under my skin.”
“Which you knew was a possibility.”
“I shouldn’t still have feelings for him, Max. He killed my brother. The only person in the whole world I could ever rely on is gone because of him. I can’t just forget that.”
Max takes my hand in both of his, the warmth in the gesture dragging tears to the surface.
“You know I want what’s best for you always, Ember. We may not have known one another for long, but apart from Darius,you are my best friend, my ride or die. So what I’m about to say comes from a place of love, okay?”
I give a shaky nod, but don’t bother responding.
“Is there a chance that what Orion told you the night you found out is true? That Travis was planning to sell you off to free himself of his debt?”
“No,” I reply too quickly. “There’s no way he would have done that to me. And certainly not to a man like Lucas.”
He nods slowly. “I didn’t want to tell you this until I was sure, but I checked in on the story Orion gave you. I had a PI do some digging, and the night of the accident, Lucas had hired a priest to officiate his wedding. He’d booked a venue, and there was a marriage certificate drawn up.” He pauses for a moment, allowing me to digest the information he’s given me. “Your name was on the certificate, Ember.”
My mouth falls open, and a strangled sob tears from my throat. “No, that can’t be true.”
Max sighs and wraps his arm around my shoulder, dragging me into him. “I’m sorry, babe. I wanted to be able to put your mind to rest, to assure you that Travis didn’t do what Orion alleges, but as far as I can tell, he’s telling the truth.”
A familiar ache settles in my chest. There have been times since I left LA that I was sure I could turn my emotions off, especially where Orion is concerned. But then he creeps in under my defenses. The memories of how he held me. Of the way he looked after me. Of how he loved me. They creep in, and the pain comes rushing back all over again.
“Travis wouldn’t do that.” I choke out the words, but I know Max wouldn’t lie to me. He’s one of the few people in my entire life who have had my best interests at heart since the day we met.
He wraps his other arm around me and buries my face in his chest, uncaring about the makeup as it smudges across his expensive suit jacket. “I’m sorry, Ember.”
The car stops in front of the hotel, but Max doesn’t rush me. He gives me time to be held, and he never complains, never tries to rush my grief.
“How about you stay up with Darius and me tonight? I don’t like the idea of you by yourself right now.”
I shake my head. “No. I think I want to be alone.”
He sighs and presses a kiss to my temple. “Okay, babe. But if you change your mind, we’re here.”
“I know,” I whisper.
But what if their love is temporary too?
What if, just like Travis, they’ll sell me out the first chance they get?
For the first time since I escaped the hospital, I feel just as broken as I did the night I tried to end it all.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ORION
“This is a bad idea,” Killian says for the tenth time since we pulled up outside Ember’s hotel.
“Just get the security in place,” I snap.
He rolls his eyes and taps something out on his phone. What started as making sure there was no way anyone could hurt Ember while she’s in town has quickly become me going in to confront her again, but not until I’m sure she’s safe, and we’re not going to have any unwelcome visitors.
“The team just arrived and are getting set up around the perimeter,” he tells me.
“I want you out here to ensure they’re doing their jobs. I’ll keep you updated about whether I’m coming back or not.”
Killian turns in his seat and nails me with a stare. “Are you sure you should do this tonight? If you keep pushing her, she might never come back.”
