Page 82 of Temptation and Tyranny

I thought about it, wiping away my tears with my napkin. “I want to fight for him. For us. But I don’t know how when he won’t even let me near him.”

“Then maybe,” Ashlynn said carefully, “you need to let him see what he’s really losing. Not just the idea of you, but the reality. The way you make him better, stronger. The way you give him something to fight for.”

“How?”

“By being exactly who you are. Strong. Resilient. Someone who sees the real him, not just the tough exterior he shows the world.” She chuckled. “You know,Steele and Colton say Cooper’s different with you. More human. Less...closed off.”

“He was,” I whispered. “Until...”

“Until he got scared,” Ashlynn finished. “But fear passes. Trust me on this. The love? That’s what stays.”

I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. “Did Steele tell you about Viktor? About the threats he’s making?”

Ashlynn’s expression grew serious. “Yes. And that’s another reason I’m here. Cooper thinks pushing you away will protect you, but all it does is leave you vulnerable.”

“What do you mean?”

“Viktor already knows about you. Ending your relationship doesn’t change that. It just means you won’t be prepared if he tries something.” She leaned forward. “Cooper needs to realize that keeping you at arm’s length doesn’t make you safer—it just means you’re alone when the danger comes.”

I absorbed this, feeling a chill run down my spine. “You think Viktor would really...”

“I think men like Viktor don’t take kindly to being crossed,” Ashlynn said carefully. “And I think Cooper needs to understand that pushing you away isn’t the answer. Being together, being strong together—that’s how you survive in this world. If Cooper doesn’t step up, I’ll talk to Steele about security options for you.”

We sat in silence for a moment, letting the weight of her words sink in.

Finally, I asked the question that had been burning in my mind.

“Do you really think he’ll come around?”

Ashlynn grinned, reaching for her purse. “I thinkhe’s already starting to. Why else would Steele be so involved? He sees Cooper making the same mistakes he almost made with me.” She laid down some bills for lunch. “Just...don’t give up on him yet, okay? Sometimes the ones most worth fighting for are the ones who don’t think they deserve it.”

As we stood to leave, she pulled me into a surprise hug. “And Allegra? You’re not alone in this. Whatever happens with Cooper, you’ve got me in your corner now. And trust me, I’m not a bad ally to have in this world.” She gave me a wink.

As we gathered our things to leave, Ashlynn brightened. “Oh, before I forget—I actually came with an ulterior motive, too. Steele and I are having a wedding ceremony next weekend. Small, just close friends. We’d love for you to come.”

My heart clenched, knowing I’d have to refuse. Not just because of Cooper. “I can’t,” I said softly. “I’m speaking at the International Congress of Physical Therapy in Barcelona that weekend. It’s been planned for several weeks.”

Ashlynn’s expression fell slightly. “That’s a shame. Though I have to admit, I’m impressed. That’s quite an achievement.”

I managed a small smile, trying to ignore the painful irony. I’d be going alone, while Cooper would be here at Steele’s wedding, the very wedding he invited me to as a guest when I was just his physical therapist.

“Maybe it’s for the best,” I said, though the words tasted bitter. “Being in the same room right now might be...complicated. And with the threat of Viktor—it might be better if I’m not in Paris.”

Ashlynn studied me thoughtfully. “You know,sometimes distance gives perspective. To both parties.” She squeezed my arm gently. “Who knows? Maybe by the time you get back, he’ll have gotten his head out of his ass.”

I laughed despite myself, grateful for her attempt to lighten the moment. “Here’s hoping.”

Chapter Thirty

Cooper

I found the conference program online, searching the details. I was surprised that she hadn’t told me herself, and that I had to hear about it from Ashlynn.

Allegra wouldn’t be at the wedding because of the conference. I tried to downplay my disappointment. Part of me hoped that I’d see her, and everything would somehow work out when we were in the same room.

I had pulled up the conference details on my phone, telling myself I was just curious. The dates, the venue, the schedule. My eyes caught on her session: “Innovative Approaches to Trauma Recovery—A Holistic Perspective on Gunshot Rehabilitation.”

The irony wasn’t lost on me.

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