Chapter Twenty-Nine
Brady
I held Elise against me right there on the sunbaked asphalt, not caring in the slightest that a pair of tactical guards stood twenty yards away pretending not to watch us.
The compound loomed behind us, all steel, stone, and intimidation.
Heat shimmered off the pavement in visible waves, and the tension from inside that building still seemed trapped in the air, thick and suffocating.
Her father’s voice echoed in my head even though he was safely behind reinforced walls, but none of it touched this.
Elise’s face was buried against my chest, her arms locked around my waist. Her heartbeat pounded so hard I could feel it through both of us.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, the words muffled by my shirt. “I am so incredibly sorry he had his men drag you out of there like that.”
I tightened my arms around her and pressed a kiss into her tangled hair. “Hey. Look at me.” I eased back enough to see her face. “It’s okay. I’m completely fine, Elise. I promise.”
Before she could answer, her phone started vibrating. Once. Twice. Then it didn’t stop. Messages from Keaton flooded the screen. She ignored every one of them.
She looked shaken, fighting to pull herself back together one breath at a time. I touched her cheek gently.
“I am so sorry about how he behaved,” she said quietly, searching my eyes. “I just . . . I needed to see for myself that you were okay.”
“I’m good, Elise. I’m steady.” I stepped closer. “But how are you doing? What is it that you actually want?”
She looked as if she had no idea how to answer.
“I don’t want to make this worse for you,” I said gently. “And I sure as hell don’t want to be the reason you’re fighting with your father. My family has already caused enough damage to yours.”
Something shifted in her expression. “You are not your father, Brady. And I am absolutely not mine.”
Her voice gained strength. “I told him I need more than his fortress. I don’t want to live inside it anymore.
I don’t want this life.” Her shoulders softened.
“I want to play cards with old people with you. I want to go to chaotic birthday parties and have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen next, but know it’ll be something good.
I want to fall asleep in your arms and wake up to a bag of bagels you picked up because you thought I might be hungry.
” A small, fragile laugh escaped her. “I don’t know how to fix what happened thirty years ago.
I don’t know what your family will think when they look at me. But I know I’m not afraid to find out.”
I rested my forehead against hers, chest tight with how much she was risking.
“There is never going to be a version of my life where somebody gets to make you feel like you don’t belong.
Not my family. Not the Burkes. Not anyone.
” I paused. “Your dad isn’t completely wrong about one thing.
My family is tied to a secret society that includes a place called The Beacon, and it’s exactly the kind of place he thinks it is.
Old money. Old rules. A whole lot of people convinced their last names make them special. ”
Her brows drew together.
“They never accepted my mother,” I said quietly.
“Didn’t matter what she did. Eventually that was too hard for her and she left.
” My voice thickened. “But I don’t value what my father does.
I’m not a member of The Beacon. Never will be.
” That earned the faintest smile. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“You would never have to walk into a room wondering if you’re enough.
I’d never let anyone treat you that way. ”
Her breath caught. “I should have said more to my father. While you were there. Not after you left . . .”
“You don’t need to prove anything to me.” I laughed softly. “Besides, telling the armed guards that my safety wasn’t negotiable—that was hot.”
She shook her head, blushing, and snuggled closer.
“If this is too much,” I said, forcing the words out, “if the history and the family drama are overwhelming, you can say it. I’ll help you start a new life . . . with or without me.”
She tipped her head back and frowned. “Without you?”
I held my breath as I sought the words to explain.
“I want you to see that you have a choice. You can be free, even if it’s not with me.
But if you want this,” I continued, voice rough, “whatever this is that we’re starting.
If you want to see where it goes, I’m all in.
” A grin tugged at my mouth. “I’m willing to put all of my quarters in one pile. ”
She didn’t hesitate. Elise hugged me tight, then threw her arms around my neck with such force she nearly choked me. It wasn’t graceful, but it was a clear answer.
Behind us, the massive security gate began sliding open. The taller guard, the one I’d talked trucks with, caught my eye and gave me a small nod.
They were letting us go.
I wrapped my arm around Elise’s waist. And began to guide her toward the final gate. “Are you sure?”
She looked back once at the compound, then to the open road ahead. “I’m sure.”