Chapter 6 #2
I pull her closer, bracing for the fight. But this time it doesn’t come.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper.
She doesn’t pull away or argue or deflect.
She just looks at me. Really looks at me.
Her gold-flecked doe eyes hanging on mine.
One beat. Then two before they close. And when they open again, something’s changed.
There’s a fierceness there that wasn’t before.
She steels her spine and lifts her chin, like she’s holding herself together by sheer will alone, readying for war. “I’ll do it.”
And I’m the goddamned battle.
“Delaney—” I argue, already shaking my head. “There has to be another way.”
Across the room, I catch Mom saying the exact same thing as Delaney flinches the tiniest bit. She looks between my parents, nerves flashing across her face for an instant before she pushes them back down.
“Mr. and Mrs. Beneventi,” Delaney basically steamrolls over everyone in the room.
“You don’t know me, and I really hope you don’t judge me on this, but I don’t really know sign language that well.
Not yet. I’m trying though. I’ve been teaching myself .
. . well, trying to teach myself. And right now, the only sign I’m sure of is probably wrong anyway, so I’m just going to look at Ryker while I talk.
Please don’t think I’m trying to be rude to anyone. ”
I’m not sure this woman took a single breath during that speech.
My chest tightens as she faces me. “I’ve got my hearing aids in, Lane,” I remind her gently. “These are new, and they work better than any I’ve ever had.”
Her eyes flick to my ears, lingering for a half a second before she nods. “Olivia, is this really the best way to keep him safe?”
“Unequivocally, yes.” Liv doesn’t hesitate.
And just like that, my stomach drops.
Because I just lost before the battle even started.
Liv doesn’t believe in sugarcoating. She doesn’t slow down.
She barrels through, full steam ahead. “Like I told you already, the new DA is going to want to take this case to trial. Ryker is high-profile in every way that’s bright and shiny for someone looking to make a name for themselves.
And this guy wants that name. You’re a Kingston and a Beneventi.
Two of the most powerful families in Philadelphia.
Not to mention a professional athlete who’s played in the last what, four pro bowls?
Your family is part of at least one local news cycle weekly, and you get discussed on national sports programming daily during the season.
You have a constant media presence. This won’t just be a case to him, it’ll be a career move. ”
Every word lands like another hit on the field.
“I didn’t play the years we went to the Super Bowl,” I mutter, annoyed, and the look my cousin throws my way is why we all used to call her Medusa.
“That’s just the legal side of things,” she tells us, ignoring my outburst. “Let’s not forget about the league.
Or the fact they’re going to come down on you hard.
Harder than anyone else because your family owns the damn team, and they have to look impartial.
” Her eyes swing between Delaney and me, then to my parents on the other side of the room.
“You know I’m right, Aunt Lenny. And we haven’t even gotten to the millions of dollars in brand deals and sponsorships that could potentially drop Ryker for breaching the morality clause I know for a fact is in every single one of your contracts because I’ve okayed each and every one before you’ve signed them. ”
My jaw locks as I swallow the fury filling my veins. Red-hot and bubbling.
“Hello. Right fucking here,” I growl, hating the way they’re talking about me instead of to me, and silence fills the room. Stretching for one second, then two.
Fucking hell.
“I’ll do it,” Delaney announces again, like she’s agreeing to an extra shift at the flower shop, not stepping into a legally binding contract. One that will change her life.
“No.” Dad’s voice cuts off any fight I may have, sharp and final. “I’ve fought my entire adult life so my sons would never have to do something like this. We didn’t raise you in a world where you marry for anything but love.”
Delaney’s leg presses against mine, and I look at her again. Trying to hide the exhaustion and bruises, but her eyes betray her. Those resigned eyes tell me everything she refuses to. “It’s okay, Ryker. You saved me . . . Now it’s my turn. Let me save you.”
I let those words sit. Try to reconcile them while the weight of Liv’s argument continues to settle before looking at my parents.
“I’ve worked twice as hard as everyone else on that team to get where I am.
No one wanted me to play after the accident.
No one thought I’d ever step foot on the turf at Kings Stadium.
I can’t give that up. I’m not willing to. ”
Dad studies Delaney and me. Something that looks a whole lot like fear and respect war behind his eyes. “Be sure, son.”
“I am,” I tell him, then taking Delaney’s hand in mine, I turn to Liv. “So what would we need to do?”
“You’d need to get married.” She doesn’t miss a beat. “Live together. Be seen together—constantly. Look like you can’t keep your eyes off each other. Which, seriously, you can’t anyway. The wedding needs to be big. A wedding fit for a Kingston. Your social media needs to be obnoxious.”
Delaney’s hand tightens in mine.
“You sure this is what you want?” I ask one last time, hoping she takes the chance to back out.
“You. Saved. Me.” Her voice shakes, whether with fear or strength, I’m not sure. But she’s not backing down. “You jumped in with no concern about what it meant for your life.” Her teeth gently graze her bottom lip as her head tilts. “I’ll sign whatever prenup we need, but I am doing this for you.”
Something in my chest shifts and settles before I look at my parents.
Mom’s eyes soften. “Then I guess we’re planning a wedding.” She smiles hesitantly at Delaney. “Thank you . . . For doing this.” She walks over and sits on the other side of Delaney. “I hate what happened to you, and I hate that you have to do this. But I’m grateful for you.”
“I’m sorry I put him in this situation in the first place.”
“No.” Mom shakes her head. “That’s not on you. Someone was hurting you, and Ryker stopped them. That wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry this is how you’re joining our family.”
Delaney’s face pales.
“I’ll help plan as much or as little of the wedding as you want me involved in. Ryker’s aunts own an event planning firm. I’m sure they can help, and we can throw the party of the century in no time.”
Oh shit.
Lane’s eyes fly wildly to mine.
“Umm . . .” she stammers. “Can you just . . . Maybe tell me what I have to do? The only wedding I’ve ever been to was Ashton and Jamie’s.”
“Oh, sweet girl. Don’t you worry about a thing.”