Relinquish

Chapter Thirty-Six

Cade

My eyes rake over her, taking in every inch of her at once. Lines etch around her eyes, and her clothes are rumpled, but she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Is this the last time I’ll ever see her? Is she packing up her stuff and leaving?

I pat Sam on the head. On the ride from Sarah’s house to Lola’s, I managed to win him over. He’d curled up on the passenger seat and laid his head on the central console with his big brown eyes staring at me as I drove. That’s when I stopped by the pet store and picked up the chew treats and toys–damn mutt.

I’m not about to tell her I’d waited for her at the airport, but she’d never shown. I assumed she wasn’t coming back. Regret had filled me with every new breath. However, Sarah’s call to deliver Sam had renewed my hope. Until I saw her driving the Jag.

The weight that had eased off my shoulders when I spoke with Lucas and Jack earlier today settles around me once again. They were both happy to hear from me, and neither of them blames me for their injuries. They both thanked me for keeping them alive and consider me their hero. I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful nonetheless.

Before I go, I need to apologize for running off and leaving. She deserves that much respect, whether I mean anything to her or not.

“I decided to drive instead of taking the flight. I needed some time alone to think.” She rubs the back of her neck.

“It’s kind of a fancy ride for this neighborhood.”

“You could say that. It won’t be here long.”

She’s moving back. Depression sinks over me as an eternity of loneliness stretches before me. The last remaining hope of working things out disintegrates, and I take a steadying breath. “I see.”

“How did work go the last couple of days? Have we gotten any proof of a Ponzi scheme?”

“Yes, we have. There’s evidence that Maitland’s business was a house of cards. With a little more digging, I’m sure we’ll find all the confirmation we need to lock him away for years to come. He may have enjoyed stealing, but every theft coincides with a request of a client to withdraw money. I think he spent all the money on yachts, vacations, and houses.”

“Do you believe Patricia was in on the Ponzi scheme?”

I lean against the fence while petting Sam’s head. Seconds later, he runs off and bumps into Lola’s leg. She bends down and strokes him. Not that I blame the little guy. I’d do the same if I could get away with it.

“I don’t think so. From what I gathered, she was clueless about any money troubles he was having. She honestly thought he was God’s gift to making money. What I haven’t figured out is how she managed to get snowed by him and participate in the burglaries, but that should all come out in the investigation.” I wrinkle my nose. “There were more videos than what he’d originally divulged.”

“What a creep. I was really hoping he was lying about that.”

“He wasn’t. He appeared to take compromising videos of all the women he was intimate with.” I shake my head. “There’s some disturbing stuff. Patricia is not the only one. Everything has been forwarded to the police, and Patricia’s cooperating. Whether it’s self-serving or not, it doesn’t matter.” I run a hand through my hair. “Before I leave, I want to thank you.”

“For what?” She clasps her hands in front of her and watches me with wide eyes.

“I called the two men in my unit who were injured. It was long overdue. They’re both in good places and hold no hard feelings toward me.” I flush. “Actually, they consider me a hero. Jack is married with a baby on the way, and Lucas has a little girl. Their lives aren’t perfect, but they’re both blessed to be alive and embrace their past, present, and future. We made plans to get together this winter and catch up.”

“That’s fantastic news.” She runs to me and throws her arms around my shoulders.

I wrap my arms around her. If this is my last chance to hold her, I want to relish every second. The heat from her skin radiates warmth through me. I inhale the familiar coconut from her shampoo and close my eyes. I don’t want the moment to end, but she’s leaving, and I’ll be stuck here mourning her loss for eternity.

***

Lola

When his palm rests against my back, I gasp. What am I doing? Am I so desperate that I’ll leap to any excuse to be close to him? How embarrassing. Heat floods my face. I’ve got to get in control of myself–following him around like a little girl with a crush will get me fired. “Sorry.” I step back, and his arms drop to his sides. “I shouldn’t have hugged you, but I’m so happy for you.”

He shrugs. His features are hard as if he’s turned to stone. “No damage was done.”

Obviously, there’s damage. He can’t stand to touch me. How am I going to see him every day?

He steps to the gate and opens it. “Before you leave, I want to apologize for running out the way I did. You didn’t deserve the disappearing act I put on. I want you to know it wasn’t about anything you said or did. It was about the issues I needed to deal with.”

“I should apologize as well. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.” I frown and cross my arms over my chest. Leave?I’m not leaving. “What do you mean before I leave?”

He motions to my car. “You said the car wasn’t going to be here long, so I assumed you’ve decided to move back with your father.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Being away from my family is good for me. I’ve grown a lot since I’ve been here. Well, I may still need to work on my impulsive decisions. If I were perfect in that department, I wouldn’t have a six-figure car parked in this neighborhood. And would’ve flown home instead of spending hours driving.” I smile sheepishly. “Which is what I meant about it not being here long. I plan to sell it. All I need is four wheels and a running engine, so my car will work. Besides, I love my job, and I don’t intend to go anywhere.”

Cade snaps the gate shut and walks toward me. If I reach out, I could touch him. I dig my nails into my upper arms as my heart pounds in my chest. “What about your father cutting you off? Aren’t you worried about money?”

“I don’t need money. Like everyone else, I can live on what I make. Besides, I have a lot in savings, and there are only so many clothes a girl can purchase before she gets bored. You remember the cook I mentioned, don’t you?” He nods. “You were right. She did teach me more than how to cook. She taught me how to invest. Not to mention, I get my portion of my grandparent’s estate in a couple of months.”

Cade’s face scrunches. “You weren’t lying about that.”

“No.”

“Then, why did your father threaten to cut you off?”

“To bluff his way into getting me to do what he wants.” My mind drifts back to our conversation. “I love my father, but he’s determined to do what he thinks is best. Even when he’s wrong. I thought he didn’t know about the money I’d invested, but he did.” I roll my eyes. “All along, I thought I was playing him, but he was orchestrating everything. The women on his staff were paid to teach me how to protect myself.”

His mouth drops. “He wanted you to know how to break into someone’s house?”

“No.” I chuckle and shake my head. “He wanted me to know how to get out if someone kidnapped me.” I shrug. “I guess he was right.”

His eyes flash. “Your father is something else.”

How can I convince him my dad will butt out or that I’m worth the effort? Is it even worth trying? “That he is. I’m sorry he had you investigated. He’s a lot to ask a person to put up with. I never looked at the file.” I cringe. “Well, after I refused, my dad told me about your arrest, but I never believed you’d commit a crime. He admitted the truth before you came downstairs.”

He places a hand on my cheek and strokes my skin. I close my eyes and will the tears away as one escapes past my lashes. “I believe you.” He wipes the tear away.

I open my eyes to find Cade smiling. How could he know? If he knew, why did he run out? “I don’t understand.”

“It wasn’t you that I was running from. I was ashamed of how I grew up, and I didn’t want to ruin your relationship with your family.”

I place a hand on his chest. His heart pounds against my palm. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. And my dad understands he’s not going to butt into my life anymore. I’ve made that perfectly clear.”

“I’m ready to accept my past now. It’s a part of me, but it doesn’t dictate my future.” He swallows hard over his Adam’s apple. “I hope I’m not misreading how you feel about me, but I’m not going to go through life not taking chances. Lola, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I realize your father disapproves of me, but I believe I can get him to come around. It may take a lifetime, but I’m willing to give it a try.”

More tears flood my eyes. Damn it. I can’t see. I blink. This is the most beautiful moment of my life, and I don’t want to miss a second of it. Not Sam snooping in the yard. The banging of a car backfiring down the street. Or the way his eyes glisten under the backyard light.

The man I love with all my heart is willing to sacrifice his sanity to put up with my interfering family. Nothing could make me happier. Of course, now I must explain that my father approves of him and is still acting this way. Thankfully, we live 1,200 miles away from him.

Before I can get a word out, he drops his hand to his side. “Don’t cry. I shouldn’t have said anything. If you want me to go, I’ll go.”

I laugh and throw my arms around his neck, pulling his face toward mine. “You’re not going anywhere. I love you with every ounce of my being, and I don’t want to spend one second of my life without you in it.”

He closes his eyes and mumbles, “Thank God.” Then, his mouth covers mine.

I lean into his body and feed off his lips. I need this connection to him. This reassurance that the last 36 hours were a mirage, and this is really us. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and leisurely explores my depths. The significance of the kiss curls my toes and weakens my knees.

After his mouth leaves mine, he rains kisses along my jaw until he gets to my ear. “I shouldn’t have listened to part of your conversation.” He cups my face. “More importantly, I shouldn’t have left. Can you forgive me?”

I nod, but before I can speak, he continues, “I’ve fought so hard to have control over my life, and you tip my world upside down. I was terrified I’d fallen for you, and you didn’t feel the same way. But I need you. I need you to knock me off my axis because, without it, I wouldn’t know what this feels like.”

I run my hand over his chest and rock into his thickening cock. “You don’t have to relinquish control everywhere.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “Babe, don’t worry about that. I’m willing to share control with you in our relationship. Hell, you’re the one in charge there. But in the bedroom, I’ll stay in command.”

A shudder darts through me. “I didn’t think I wanted a man to tell me what to do, but when you do it, it turns me on.”

“Sounds like we’re on the same page.” He tips my chin up. “It’s time we go inside, and I show you how much I love you.”

“Yes, please.” The heat in his eyes leaves me breathless.