He doesn’t even crack a smile. He just shakes his head and sighs, as though I’m testing his patience again. “You trying to be cute doesn’t change the fact that you should’ve called for me right away, Hunt. What if I hadn’t woken up? What if I hadn’t gotten to you in time?”
My lips flatten into a frown. I glance down at my feet, studying the pink polish on my toes so I don’t have to meet his gaze. The fact of the matter is, I’ve been mulling over that same question for the past few minutes… and I’m not sure I like the answer. Because if Conor hadn’t showed up when he did…
Paul’s angry face flashes in my mind and I shiver.
“Hey.”
My eyes flicker up at the sound of Conor’s voice. He looks conflicted, almost wary, as he reaches out and sets one large, callused hand on my shoulder. I suck in a breath at the contact.
Oh boy.
His light squeeze is meant to be comforting… but the feeling of his touch on my bare skin does nothing to settle my nerves. If anything, it sends them fluttering into hyperdrive. Every cell in my body is suddenly on fire as I stare up into his indigo eyes.
“Look, Hunt… I know you think I’m this monumental asshole who’s barged into your life, who’s bossing you around nonstop, disrupting everything in your orderly little world…” Conor’s voice is grave. “But the bottom line is, I can’t protect you if you don’t trust me.You have to start trusting me.”
“I know. I… I’m sorry.”
“I don’t need an apology. I need a promise that you’re going to stop thinking you have to handle this situation entirely on your own. That might be how things went in the past… but this time, things are different.”
“How?” I whisper.
“Because this time you aren’t standing on your own. This time, you have me.” His fingers flex against my skin, squeezing tighter. It takes all my resolve not to go weak at the knees. “I’m in this with you, every step of the way… Got it?”
“Got it.” I pull in a shaky breath. “I promise next time, I’ll call for backup.”
“There better not be a next time.” He shoots Paul a deadly look.
“What’s going to happen to him now?”
“I already radioed the surveillance team parked outside. Two of my men are on their way in. They’ll take him into custody and bring him back to a holding cell at headquarters, until we have a chance to question him about his involvement in all of this. At the very least, he should be able to give us some new intel on Petrov before he’s arraigned for fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement.”
As if on cue, a few seconds later two federal agents in tactical gear step into the bedroom. Conor and I walk out of the closet to greet them.
“Van’s waiting in the driveway,” the first agent says while his partner hauls Paul to his feet. “We’re good to go.”
“Did you radio in to let Sykes know you’re inbound?” Conor asks.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Tell her I’ll be in touch soon.”
We make our way down the staircase single-file. The silence is thick, punctuated only by Paul’s small moans of pain as the agents drag him into the foyer. He keeps his head down and there’s a defeated slump to his shoulders — the fight has definitely gone out of him. He’s resigned to his fate.
Conor and I trail behind as the agents prod Paul toward the front door. I feel strangely unsettled, watching him go. Like it or not, he was a big part of my life for a long time. It’s strange to see the man I married being led away in handcuffs. Stranger still to think about him going to trial, or wearing an orange jumpsuit, or being locked up behind bars.
What’s this? Sympathy for the devil?That’s weak, Shelby. Even for you.
The unforgiving voice whispers from a dark place inside me — a place that’s undeniably glad Paul is about to be out of my life. For good, this time. It’s the same place that holds all my darkest fears and insecurities. A lockbox of my deepest shame, embedded in my psyche.
But you’ve always been weak, haven’t you? So weak, you didn’t even fight back when he hurt you. A pathetic little girl, trapped in her own delusions of perfection.
I try to shut the voice out, but it mocks me all the way to the door.
Look how that turned out.
Look at your perfect life, now.
Heart pounding hard, I blink back hot tears. Conor’s looking at me strangely, but I avoid his eyes. I’m not about to explain my own humiliation — not to him. And certainly not now, in front of two federal agents and my no-good, dirty-rotten, lying, cheating, bastard of a husband.