Page 150 of Reckless Vow

“I made the offer on the club in Nice, and I’m happy to report we’ll be opening a new location in two weeks.”

“So fast? Can we swing it? With all the cash needed for our Manhattan club?”

“Yes, the property is in perfect condition, and it requires only minor touches to turn it into our brand. I have reallocated funds from the most profitable clubs in France to cover the first three months, but I’m confident we will turn profit sooner than that.”

“Great job, Chloe.”

“I know,” she says gleefully.

“Thank you.”

“How is married life treating you? Have you kissed your bride yet?” she teases.

I grab the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip, but I don’t answer. It’s none of her business, after all.

“Baldo? Don’t tell me you haven’t kissed her yet? I mean, your stupid no kissing rule made sense for hookups, but you care about this woman. Your club was evacuated because of your caveman routine, so I know you care about her. Are you going to fuck it up?”

Iamfucking it up. Not just a coward. A fucking idiot too.

“Chloe, I have to go.” I swing into the left lane and U-turn between two sensible family SUVs.

I want to floor the gas pedal, but I’m still in the midst of Riverdale, unable to speed up.

The ten minutes it takes me to return feels like ten years, but I finally make it back. I rush to the house and follow the voices.

Everyone is gathered in the kitchen, and on the patio outside. Dinner hasn’t been served yet.

“Baldo,” Mom gasps, bouncing baby Micah in her arms. “You came.” She smiles, her face full of relief. Fuck, another woman I need to grovel to.

“Where is Brook?”

“I’m here,” she says from the entrance to the sitting room. She is clutching the handles of Micah’s wheelchair.

His expression is stoic. If my sudden appearance surprised him, he doesn’t show it. I stare him down for a moment, letting him know that this time I won’t leave.

Everyone around us stops and stares at me. I grab Brook’s hand. “We’ll be right back.”

The house remains in complete silence as I drag Brook across the hall to the library.

I close the door behind us and spin her toward me. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Baldo, I’m sorry. I-I… You need to know I’m not choosing them over you.” She grabs my hands and squeezes to the point of cutting off circulation.

“Stop, baby. Stop it. You don’t need to choose. Take as much time as you need. Even if it’s forever. I’m not pressuring you anymore.”

“Are you leaving?” Her eyes swim in confusion.

Fuck. I’m doing it all wrong.

“I’m not going to pressure you, and I’m not going anywhere. Not without you. You’ve been in my thoughts, my heart, an irreplaceable part of my soul for as long as I can remember. You’re as essential to me as air. And I know the situation isn’t ideal, but I don’t want to dance around it. Take as much time as you need, and I’ll gladly pretend to be your brother for as long as you want.” I flinch. “Okay, not gladly.”

She gasps, stifling a sob and chuckling at the same time. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, but that’s not why I came here.”

“Why did you come?”

“To do this.”

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