21. Declan #2
“What if I promise not to give in to his demands, no matter what?”
She sighed. “You can’t help yourself, Declan. All your life, you’ve been trying to keep all of us safe. You’re a protector. That’s what you do. I definitely want to be there.”
“Okay,” I relented. “We’ll go together.”
She bit her lip, looking off in the distance.
"I really thought I was rid of him. But all these months later, I still get calls from reporters asking for a story. Everyone wants to know why Reese Maxwell didn’t make it to the altar.
I shouldn’t have flaunted our relationship in the press like I did. "
“You had one article in Vogue . That’s not flaunting. You were proud.”
“And hopeful. And I wanted to share my happiness with the world.”
"The reporters will stop eventually."
Reese nodded. “Thanks for telling me. And I’m really sorry.” Her shoulders dropped. She grabbed the coffee cup again, holding it tightly with both hands.
“You’ve got absolutely nothing to apologize for.”
“Tyler almost got kicked off the team because Malcolm instigated a fight. And now he’s after you.”
“Tyler and I both accept the consequences of our own actions. Being stubborn and hotheaded comes with a price.”
“Hmmm, Tyler at least admits to being a hothead. But you hide it well.” She smiled, but it was forced. Fucking hell, I hated Malcolm. “Let’s get back before they all become suspicious,” Reese said.
“Sure.”
“Who else knows?”
“Luke, Travis, and Liz.”
“Liz?”
“Yes.”
She flashed me another smile, and this time, it was real.
“Let’s go inside,” she said.
“You go. I need to make a phone call,” I replied.
“Okay.”
Turning back, she headed into the house.
I took out my phone to call Kimberly. She was in Paris, and I quickly calculated the time difference in my head. It was afternoon or early evening for her, so I was safe.
She answered after a couple rings. "Hey, cousin," she said. "How are you?"
"Hey."
"Uh-oh. That's a very serious ‘Hey.’ This isn’t just a checkup call, huh?"
“No.”
“Shoot.”
In a few words, I told her about the issue with Malcolm and Reese insisting she wanted to be there too. I paced the yard, frowning. "You think it's a good idea, her coming to the confrontation?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I think she needs it, but I also think she might get hurt.”
“I'm going to be there too. I'm not going to let that moron hurt her."
"You can't always help it, Declan. I know you want to, but people like Malcolm know how to press buttons. We most certainly know how to pick our men."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Never mind."
"No, really, are you in trouble?"
"Just a little heartbreak," she said. Her tone sounded humorous, but I could tell she was hurting.
"Kimberly, talk to me. What’s going on?" I asked.
" You want to talk about feelings? You've always avoided them like the plague."
"No I don’t."
She laughed into the phone. "Remember when I was heartbroken that my high school sweetheart stood me up for the prom and you kind of wanted to beat him up?"
"Yeah, I do."
"And I told you that what I needed was for you to listen to me?"
"I have no memory of that."
"Yeah, maybe because you bolted the next moment and made an excuse about how you had to go pick up Sam from soccer."
"Now that rings a bell. Still, that was then. This is now."
She laughed again. "It's all good, Declan. Nothing I can't handle. I do think we should focus on Reese now though.”
“I can try and convince her not to come to that meeting."
"No. If she wants to go, then let her. Reese has good instincts most of the time. If she thinks she can handle this, she will. She’ll worry more if she knows you've gone without her. Don't play the knight in shining armor. No one here is a damsel in distress."
"Roger that," I said.
“I’ve got to go now. Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
When I returned to the house, the family was split in small groups. Mom, Dad, Lexi, and Tate were on the couch. Gran and Paisley were inspecting the bookcase.
Liz was with Reese, Travis, and Luke at the island. I made a beeline for them.
"Liz, I've got to thank you for making my cousin be honest with me. Declan didn’t say, but I’m sure it’s you who convinced him,” Reese said.
“What are you talking about? I never lie,” I exclaimed.
“That’s right. You just withhold the truth.” Turning to Liz, she added, “I’m so happy you managed to annoy the crap out of Declan in the beginning."
"Reese!” I growled. “I didn't warn you, but now I am. Don't embarrass me."
"I'm not, I'm telling the truth."
"Careful, Reese. He might disinvite us forever," Travis said.
Luke chuckled. "Speak for yourself, brother. I came here today for one reason and one reason only: to give our oldest brother all the shit he can take."
"Language, Luke," Gran said. Apparently she could hear us even from across the room.
"Oh, Gran, you’re losing that fight. They're swearing now all the time, even around me," Paisley said.
“There’s no point even calling you lot out on it, is there?” Gran tsked, shaking her head. Then she glanced at Liz. “Liz, I heard you’re opening a bakery.”
“Yes I am, Beatrice.”
“Please, call me Gran.”
“Okay, Gran.” She smiled at her. “I signed a lease, and I'm super lucky that there was a bakery there before too. There are a few more details I have to take care of, but I'm going to open in two weeks."
"That's splendid!" Gran said. "I can't wait to see it."
"What made you decide on a bakery?” Mom asked.
I stepped next to Liz, putting an arm around her back.
"I've had this idea about the bakery forever," Liz said, "And then last year, I had a very bad health scare, and I made myself a promise to try and give it my best shot. I had savings because I lived frugally. And since moving to Chicago, I've worked a lot.”
I nodded. “I can confirm that.”
“The next two years will be a crucial time for me to double down.”
“Two years?” I asked, frowning.
“That’s the time I’m giving myself to break even. If that doesn’t happen… well, the original plan was to go back home.”
What the hell? She’d never mentioned that.
I felt the energy in the room change. Luke and Travis both looked at me. I cocked a brow at them. The message was clear: keep quiet.
Mom went on, asking what kind of baked goods Liz planned to sell, but I wasn’t listening. I was fixating on what she’d said before.
“Two years. Moving back home . ”
I decided at that moment that I would never let that happen. I wasn't going to lose Liz, no matter what. Her place was here with me.
When Liz went to sit with everyone in the other room on the couch, Travis and Luke came up to me, asking for two more coffees.
"What was that I heard about two years?" Travis asked.
"It's normal to have goals in every business," I replied in a clipped tone.
"Yeah, yeah. I know that. I just sold a very successful company, thank you very much."
"And you can’t stop reminding us," Luke said. He focused on me when I handed him the coffee. "Is this thing between you two serious?"
"Of course it's serious," I said.
"Then why is she under the impression that you're not going to throw her over your shoulder and lock her up in this place if she tries to leave?" Travis asked. "Unless you've not made that point very clear."
I patted my brother's shoulder. "You have your style, and I have mine."
"As long as your style doesn't end up with you losing your girl, I guess it's all good."