Page 61 of (Un)Rivaled

“When what, Ace?”

“When I compared everyone to you,” she answered. “It was like you were there in the back of my mind all those years, and no one could live up to you.”

“And what about the real me?” I teased.

“You’re even better.”

I turned and stole a glance at her. Devyn was staring at me without any trace of humor in her expression. She meant that. God, how could I have ever survived without this woman? With only a few words of praise, I was on cloud nine, ready to take on the entire world.

But despite that feeling, there was one thing I couldn’t get out of my head. “What about that Jack guy? He seemed to think the two of you were pretty serious.”

Devyn snorted. “If he did, he was delusional. I think he liked the idea of me more than the actual version. We only hung out a few times, and I was clear I wasn’t looking for more from him.”

“He didn’t seem like your type.”

“This is going to sound really bad.” Devyn paused, and my heart thundered in my chest. But just as I was about to ask her what was wrong, she continued, “Do you remember going to a Gala at the New York Museum last year?”

I furrowed my brow, trying to think back on my former social calendar.Oh, shit.It suddenly clicked. It was one of those major fashion house events every celebrity wanted toattend, and my former agent set me up with some actress. I’d already fired him at that point, tired of him selling my secrets to the press. I would have canceled, but her agent begged me to keep up appearances, not wanting her embroiled in a scandal right before her newest movie released. It was a long night, not only because the press was hounding me, but also because I started to believe the “date” wasn’t as innocent as I was led to believe, especially after the actress stuck her tongue down my throat right in front of all the cameras.

“Vaguely,” I answered. “That was a long fucking night, so I’ve tried to forget it.”

Devyn toyed with her hands, turning to look at the passenger side window. “I was there too.”

“You were?”

She nodded. “It was right after Calla went to work with Theo, before you came on as a client. She was nervous about going with him, so she asked me to tag along as a buffer.”

I shook my head. “No. I would have seen you there.”

“No, you wouldn’t have,” Devyn said sadly. “We were only a few feet away from each other, and you didn’t notice me. You were too wrapped up with your date.” she sighed. “And I hated that seeing you affected me so much. So, I decided if you could move on, so could I.” She shook her head. “But I felt even worse after, so I stayed away from him…until Alex and Cole’s engagement dinner.”

My blood stilled, remembering that moment all too well. Devyn met my eyes from across the room, and it was like all the air escaped my lungs. It was the first time we’d seen each other in person since Las Vegas. At least, that was what I thought at the time. I wanted to talk to her, wanted to explain, wanted to say something that would erase thehurt in her eyes, but before I could make my way through the crowd, she was gone.

“It was too much,” she said. “Being in town, being in the same room as you. It felt like the walls were closing in around me, so I did something stupid to try to escape.” She laughed, but the sound lacked warmth. “So now you know some of my worst mistakes.” She turned, giving me a sad smile. “Still sure you want to be with me?”

I took her hand. “Devyn, we’ve both made plenty of mistakes. We’re human, we’re going to fuck up. I’m not here with you because I expect you to be perfect. I’m here because I see you, flaws and all, and I’m crazy about you.” I squeezed her hand a little tighter. “Plus, I’ve met the douchebag. I don’t feel sorry for him at all.” She let out a bright laugh, and I took it as a sign she was feeling better.

I let go of her hand and hit the blinker, forcing myself to pull into the parking lot. As I shifted the car into park, I turned back toward her. “But do me a favor, Ace?” I kissed her one last time before turning off my truck. “You ever need to fuck your feelings out again, make sure it’s my dick you’re using.”

She smiled so brightly at me, it rivaled the sun. “That I can do.”

THIRTY-TWO

Every step toward the motel room felt like another step toward my execution. After confirming the room number with Tomas, my heart started pounding in my chest, trying to keep up my calm façade, not wanting to alert Gray to my rising stress.

Maybe I was being dramatic, considering we were meeting with my older sister and close friend, but I felt it all the same, at least about seeing Laurel. I was pretty excited to see Tomas and make sure he was okay. For years, we were a two-man team, and even though we’d brought more people into the fold, he was still someone I trusted. Laurel, on the other hand, was a different story.

Maybe it was hypocritical to be angry at Laurel after I forgave Gray so easily. But Gray had worked hard to earn back my trust, and there was a lifetime of moments to back it up. Most of all—I knew if he were given the chance, Gray would never do it again.

As much as I wanted to say the same for Laurel, I didn’t really know her. I knew her public-facing persona, the doting daughter and wife she pretended to be. But thisvigilante, determined to take David down at any cost? She was a stranger.

As I brought my fist up to knock on the motel room door, Gray reached out, placing his hand on my elbow. I furrowed my brow as I turned to look at him. “Remember what I said, Ace. One word, and we’re gone.”

“You sound like you’re expecting bloodshed,” I chuckled, trying to hide my nerves. But Gray didn’t laugh, didn’t even crack a smile. Instead, he continued to glare at the door, as if it offended him.

“The Laurel you and I know are very different people. She’s a lot harsher when she doesn’t have her mask in place. I just want you to be prepared.”

I placed my free hand on top of his, stroking it with my thumb. “I’ve handled worse, I’m sure. Have faith in me, husband.”

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