Page 40 of Redeeming

“Because I have it under control. At least I did before you stepped into the picture,” he snaps, unnervingly calm. “I didn’t take those pictures. TheKroydon Kroniclesdid. Lucky for me and for you, I’ve got friends everywhere, and money shuts most people up. Butthiscan’t happen again.”

“What can’t?” I ask, not followingagain. Is he talking about us, or theKronicles, or the danger in the damn city? “Swear to God, Sam. It’s like you’re giving me half a conversation.”

He shakes his head and shoves the folder back in his bag. “You are too high-profile, Callen. The local media loves you. The national media loves you. You make headlines, and Caitlin can’t be in the headlines right now. It’s not safe.”

He waits, probably gauging whether or not I’m following him, but I just sit, taking it in as he tells me this woman I’ve finally let myself love isn’t safe.

“You make Caitlinnot safe... Do you understand?”

I crack my neck, pissed at him for the life he lives and at myself for being any part of the reason she’s not safe. “Spell it out for me,” I say as calmly as I can with rage coursing unchecked through my veins.

“If you love my daughter the way I think you do. The way I think you always have... you need to break it off.Now. Completely. No secret touches. Not hiding it from anyone.” His eyes darken as he grinds his teeth. “That includes her brother. Break. It. Off. Without any fanfare or drama. Don’t give anyoneany reason to talk. Don’t make her the center of the gossip rags. This matters, Callen.”

“You sure this isn’t just you trying to control the man she ends up with? Because I’m telling you that’s me, Sam. One way or another, it’s me.” I refuse to accept this is it. I didn’t just get her to turn around and give her up. Not now. Not fucking ever.

“The fact you have the balls to say that to my face is incredibly stupid but incredibly impressive. And I hope one day, if that’s what she wants, it’s what she’ll have. But son, I’m telling you you’re too high-profile, and the press hasn’t even gotten wind of what’s happening with your father. Once he announces his retirement, they’re going to be swarming. And that’s before they find out the rest.” He says it so matter-of-factly, with no care to the way his words just sliced or the fact he’s not even supposed to know it in the first place.

“How do you even know?” I ask before I think better, and he laughs.

Fucking laughs.

“I know everything, Callen. And if I know, other people are going to know.”

“Fuck you, Sam.”

He nods slowly as a vein in his temple pulses. “I’m going to give you that one because I would have said the same thing to anyone who tried to keep me away from Amelia. But here’s the difference between you and me, Sinclair. I’d have killed the bastard. You’re not me. Be fucking grateful. I’m the man who keeps the monsters at bay because I’m the bigger fucking monster. Now shut the fuck up and do as I say so I don’t have to get nasty—because Callen, you’ve never seen that side of me, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

I try to absorb everything he’s telling me while every inch of me wants to reject every fucking word but knowing I can’t.

He’s keeping her safe and asking me to do the same thing.

The only thing.

Because Caitlin not being safe isn’t an option.

Giving her up is the only way.

Fuck . . .

“Break it off, Callen. Break her heart. Make her hate you, if you have to. And do it because you love her, and you want to keep her safe. I’ll do the rest, but I need you to do this.”

The car pulls to a stop, and I look out the window at my truck.

“How long?” I ask, holding out hope.

“As long as it takes.”

It’s the answer I was expecting but not the one I wanted.

“I’ll do it,” I tell him and open the door. “But so help me fucking God, Sam. If she gets hurt, I’ll be the bigger fucking monster.”

CAITLIN

Don’t announce your next moves.

Just make the damn move and smile because you knew you could.

—Caitlin’s Secret Thoughts

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