Page 16 of Just My Ex

He nods mutely.

I swallow hard.High road. High road. High road.“And now this? I … I felt like someone was watching us or following us. I chalked it up to my sensing that Raymond was so upset and making dumb, little threats. But it was Victor? Unbelievable.”

Henry is defeated, but there’s still a stiffness in his posture that belies his feelings. He might be sorry that I’m angry with him, but he isn’t sorry he did it.

“We don’t need your help,” I say, quieter this time. “You can go back to Amsterdam or wherever you were and forget all about this.”

“And you’re sure you’re okay?” His face tightens, his eyes blinking. ”You’re sure Navie’s safe?”

I bite my lip so hard I taste blood. He’s got me there. I’m not sure she’s safe. Why would I even be here if I was?

“We don’t need your help. We’re fine.”

Except, we sort of do. I would be foolish to refuse his expertise.

“But I promised you I’d keep you safe.”

Whoosh.There goes my exterior of steel. It melts away on the briny breeze of Longdale Lake.

Hedidpromise me that, on our wedding day, and even before and after. Henry had meant something to me. He’d been the person I’d trusted the most.

When he worked so much and was gone for long stretches at a time, I’d sometimes go days without hearing from him. There was always the excuse of,It was too dangerous to contact you, orI was unable to contact youand mostly,You know I signed the NDA. And I’d hear the pleading in his voice, and I’d just be glad he was safe doing whatever he was doing.

But my mind started playing tricks on me, trying to fill in the blanks. And I couldn’t live like that anymore, with my nervous system constantly out of whack becauseI don’t know where he is or what he’s doing.

I don’t know how or why, but I never wondered if he was cheating. I never got that feeling. Which is silly to try to describe to someone else, and believe me, there were friends who thought I was naïve.

Henry. Against my better judgment, here on this beach, I breathe him in, everything about him that I loved.

It hurts, so naturally, I have to figure out a way for itnotto hurt.

I force myself to remember reality—that his actions spoke louder than words.

“That promise to protect me was null and void when you just stood there and watched me walk away.”

He looks like he’s been slapped. He absently kicks the sand, staring down at nothing. “I’ll go back to D.C. But can I please see Navie before I go?”

I squeeze my eyes shut. Of course he can. And it’s not just because the decree stipulates he can see her when he’s not working. But because that’s what a decent mother would allow, would want. Navie adores her father.

“Of course, Henry.” But I fold my arms across my chest. “But not tonight. Please. I need to talk with her beforehand. All this craziness has her on edge, and I need to give her some time to prepare.”

He nods. “Definitely. Whenever you’re both ready. I can wait.” There’s a flicker of sadness behind his eyes.

Anguish.

This sucks. I thought I’d left that behind when I started my new life. Single. Free. No looking back. Ready to conquer the world, just Navie and me.

And now I feel it, again, crashing over me in unwelcome, cruel waves.

As much as I can’t do this right now, it doesn’t matter.

Henry Tate is back in my life.

Chapter 7

Henry

Quinn’s arms are folded across her chest, and she’s breathing heavily from the ungodly pace she was running.

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