Page 14 of Taking What's Ours

“She was at the wedding, too. Hell, she stood up there while I said my vows. So yeah, my lying, cheating husband is to blame, but she’s not innocent.”

“Point taken.”

I’m fuming, anger flaring through me. I stalk to the bedroom and jerk open the closet. I fling garments on the bed, using my anger to cover the crushing hurt that’s tearing my heart in two. It’s over. It’s done. All my fairytale hopes and dreams shattered into a million pieces. It’s not long before I’m overcome with the weight of it all and slide down the wall of the walk-in closet to sit in a ball on the carpet, holding my knees to my chest and rocking as I silently sob.

The floor creaks, and a shadow falls over me. “You okay?”

I shake my head and dash the tears from my cheeks. Rosie pushes her way in and licks my face, whimpering. I stretch my legs out, and she lays her head on my thigh.

Dylan sits, extending his long legs and leaning against the wall next to me. He doesn’t say anything more. He just rests his hand on my shoulder and lets me cry it out.

I stroke Rosie’s head and try to slow my breathing. “I feel like such a fool.”

“This isn’t your fault. You’re a gorgeous woman with a sweet personality. Any man would be lucky to have someone like you in his life. My brother is just the wrong guy. He’s not capable of loving anyone but himself. He’ll be that way until the day he dies. You’re lucky to be rid of him. Shake it off. You’ve still got your whole life ahead of you.”

I nod, wiping more tears away. I just want to curl in a ball and die.

Dylan drags me against his warm chest.

I sob against his denim shirt and sling my arm across his waist. His neck presses against my forehead and his hand strokes my head.

“Cry it out. Take as long as you need, sweetheart.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Dylan—

Elaina’s SUV idles in the airport parking garage while I return my rental truck. Finishing up and grabbing my receipt, I head to the passenger side and slide in the seat next to her.

She pulls away, and we’re soon making the loop around the city and headed southwest.

“How far is it?” she asks.

I swivel my head. “Durango? About six and a half hours. I can take a turn driving if you need.”

“I think I’ll be fine.”

I grin. “You one of those people who don’t let others drive your car?”

Her face flushes. “Maybe.”

I chuckle and stare at the road. “I get that.”

Rosie sticks her head between us, and I scratch her ears. “She’s a pretty dog. I love her coat. You don’t see many German Shepherds with the mostly black coloring.”

“She is pretty, isn’t she? Most people don’t see that; they just see a big dog they think will attack them.”

“She trained?”

“We did training, but not for that, though I think she’d defend me with her life if it came to it.”

“That’s good.”

“Thanks for coming with me to get her. Going early was smart, though it seems Elliott has other things to occupy him this morning.”

Her voice turns bitter, and I study her profile. Her jaw is tight, and her lips are pursed. “My brother is a dick. I’m sorry he broke your heart. I hate to see you waste another second thinking about him. It’s best you shake it off. The sooner the better.”

“That’s easier said than done.”

---