“Maybe this is for the best for both of us.” I offered her a tentative smile. “Now we can both be happy with the people we truly love.”
“I wish I had your optimism.” She traced a pattern on her dress. “It’s never going to be that simple with Rafe.”
I thought about the gun in the drawer. “You’re safe, right? He wouldn’t ever hurt you?”
Her head snapped up, eyes widening. “God, no. Don’t get me wrong, Rafe is not a good man. Far from it. But he’d never hurt me. He’d burn the world down before letting that happen.”
“Good. Just because we’re ending this way, that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
“Ditto.” She smiled sadly. “I hope we can stay friends.”
A weight lifted off my chest. Not all of it though. The majority would stay there until I finally laid eyes on Dominic. “I’d like that. A lot.”
“Me too.”
“About the gun…” She winced as she said the word. “I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but can you keep that to yourself? Rafe can be…unpredictable. I’d feel better knowing there won’t be any consequences from today.”
I imagined telling Dominic about it. Xander. Hell, maybe even Max. The reactions they’d have. Not only to the gun, but the pictures too. “Yeah, I don’t think any good would come of me telling anyone. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Thank you.” Her beautiful face softened. “You’re truly far too good for me.”
I barked a laugh. “I don’t know about that. I think you’re seeing the version of me I wanted you to see, not who I actually am. I suspect you might say the same?”
“You’re probably right. I’ve spent the last ten years trying to shape myself into a different person. A person who wouldn’t be stupid enough to yearn for a man like Rafe.”
Her words struck me deep. “I don’t think we get to choose.”
“No.” Her lips twisted sadly. “I don’t think we do.”
It hit me then that Kate was in a different place to me. Where I’d realised that Dom was the one I was meant to be with, that I was fucking thrilled to be in love with him and him with me…I didn’t think she was quite there. Not with Rafe.
“I’m sorry,” I repeated. “I wish you nothing but the best, Kate.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “Same goes.”
As much as I was itching to get to Dominic, I was aware I couldn’t just leave Kate in the lurch. “Do you want me to help you sort out cancelling everything? Making calls, that sort of thing?”
She waved a hand. “Nah. Knowing Rafe, it’s already been taken care of.”
I raised a brow. “That seems…presumptuous.”
“That’s Rafe. Always assuming he knows what’s best for me,” she said darkly, glaring at the ceiling.
Yeah, Kate definitely wasn’t in the same place I was.
“Okay, well, call me if you do need help,” I said.
“We won’t.” She touched my wrist as I stood, smiling up at me with a kindness I’d never deserve from her. “Go get your man, Ryan.”
29
Dominic
Frank didn’t look surprised to see me when he opened the door. “Hullo, Dominic.”
I grunted a greeting, no energy to find the words.
My father’s gaze swept over me, no doubt taking in my unshaven face and dishevelled clothes. “You’d best come in. I’ll put the kettle on.”