Page 78 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

My hand rubs my stomach, and it doesn’t take me long to realize I’m gathering strength from it. Strange, because I’m the oldest child and I’m supposed to be the strong one. But it works as my voice doesn’t threaten to shake anymore.

“Yes. I’m okay. Of course. Everything’s working out for me, too.”

“Yes…yeah. I’m glad it is. I know the Sam news was shocking for you and probably not what you expected, but I like to believe that fate intervened to help us. And now…we can truly move forward from it.”

Yes. In separate directions.

The truth is that Sam is the last thing on my mind. I wasn’t kidding when I said I wouldn’t put up with my fear of him anymore, so whether he’s in jail or not, I will still be living my life. But Christian’s second news?

It’s a stab to the heart, something which isn’t his fault. It’s mine for carrying that sliver of hope, but that hope is crushed to dust now.

And despite the pain inside me, I have to keep positive.

“You’re right. We can move forward from it.”

Christian sighs in relief at my answer, and I can almost hear his worries easing. Then his voice turns sweet again.

“I’ll be home tomorrow. I just need to finish some paperwork and get the process started, but when I get there…we’ll talk.”

“Right. We’ll talk.”

“I can’t wait to see you. And kiss you.” He chuckles. “And talk to you about everything, including my plans.”

“I can’t wait to see you, too.”

Except I know it’s going to be one of the most bittersweet moments of my life already.

When I hang up the phone, I don’t leave the room yet. I stay in bed and stare at the ceiling, repeating everything he said over and over in my mind until I have it memorized. Then I stand, willing myself to gather courage because it’s for the best.

I’m in love with Christian Benson, but I don’t think the feeling is reciprocated. I don’t think he’ll change his mind about his priorities, either.

And I think it’s time to let him go.

Chapter 25

Christian

I can’t wait to tell Raven the news.

I know I told her practically everything during our recent phone call, but it doesn’t feel like enough—and that’s because I haven’t told her the most important news yet. I needed to figure it out during my stay in Nashville and in between all the work done for the land I acquired, but in the end, my heart was stronger than my brain, and it had already figured things out beforehand.

Shit. Even as I think it, I can’t believe it. But just the image of her beautiful face smiling at me is enough to change all that and cement one fact: that I have feelings for this woman.

“Don’t mess it up. Just state things as they are and be honest about everything. It’s all going to work out.”

“Are you talking about business negotiations?”

I blink, forgetting that I have my sister on speakerphone. But that’s because she put me on hold for a bit. I think about what I just said and clear my throat when I’m sure that I didn’t mention a name.

“Yeah. Sorry. I got distracted. What were we talking about again?”

“Nothing. You told me about the property you got and how excited you are about it.”

“Right.” The excitement’s waylaid by other thoughts, but I don’t tell her that. “How are Nick and the kids?”

“They’re fine. Jazzy wants to return to Sweet Haven so she and Raven can exchange stories again. How long is she staying in town again?”

Longer, if things go well. If not…

---