Page 75 of Counterfeit Connection

I want to scream yes. I want to promise that more than I’ve wanted to promise anything in this world. I also would like to say I won’t end up broken beyond repair, but I know better. In an instant, I recall a conversation my mother had with me when I started dating.

“I’d like to promise she’ll have no pain, but that would be a lie. Can you promise no pain for Gillian or your son?” I see a slight crack in his bravado at their mention. Could some consider it a low blow? I suppose. I see it as a man speaking truth to another man. “I can promise I will do everything to protect Kaitlyn, no matter what comes our way. Isn’t that all any of us can do when we…isn’t that all any of us can do?”

“I’m going to ask you a question, and I’d like an honest answer,” he asks.

“I wouldn’t give you anything but honesty.”

“If you care for her so much, why the facade? What’s stopping you from ripping up the agreement and simply being with her?”

My instant response is to shout from the rooftops that I would give anything to be able to do that. Any person with a pulse can see we care for each other, but I know what being with me, really being with me, brings to the table.

She cracked under the pressure of seeing the comments that were the tip of the iceberg. I refuse to subject her to anything worse, and it would be impossible to avoid long term. I live in the UK, and she lives here, in America. I couldn’t ask her to leave her family. My job, once I take over, will be more demanding and I will travel even more than I do now. She’ll be widowed by my career.I love her too much for any of that.

But I don’t say all of those things to him. Saying them out loud makes them real and makes the harsh reality of our endgame crystal clear.

“Because I can’t give her what she deserves,” I say plainly.

“If that’s the truth, which I’m not sure it is, and she ends up how I think she will, know I will come for you, Shaw. I won’t leave it to you to guess. It’s a threat and an absolute promise.”

Jason walks away from our conversation before I can think of anything to say, not that anything I could’ve come up with would have meant a damn word after that. Honestly, if I do break her inany way, I hope he does destroy me so I won’t have to live with what I’ve done.

Chapter 23

Griffin

The rest of our short time in Virginia seemed even shorter once Kaitlyn had her entire family there with her. A smile was permanently on her face until the tears fell this morning before we left for the airport. I stood by, Marilyn’s carrier in my hand, as I watched Kaitlyn hug her family goodbye.Is this what a healthy relationship with a father looks like?

We tried our best to stay awake for the majority of the flight to London, so our internal clocks would be ready for sleep by the time we landed. She filled her time with books. I filled mine with work, and for a two-hour period somewhere over the Atlantic, we filled it with each other.

“I’m nervous,” she says when we slide into the back seat of a waiting car on the tarmac, finally shielded from the flash of the cameras from the half dozen paps who were waiting for us.

“Kaitlyn, ten minutes ago you were bouncing from window to window screaming oh my God to everything you saw on approach. Can you go back there? We’ll get settled in my flat, get a good night’s sleep, and meet my mother for lunch. She wanted to cook. You’ll be smothered in the best way. We won’t deal with my father for a day or so. Tobias will meet us tomorrow night so we can get you prepared. I won’t let him fuck with you. Count on that.”

Kaitlyn tips her head over on my shoulder. When this began, I could say it was because of who could be watching. Now, I know it’s her way of seeking comfort. It makes me proud I can be that for her. “I’m still going to be nervous, no matter what, but it makes me feel better knowing you have my back.”

“That’s one thing you can always count on.”

We pull into the valet parking outside the concierge to my building. Darkness has taken over the sky, but the warmth of the glow from the flats light up our arrival. We take the elevator with our bags up to the eleventh floor. I’ve told her about the on-site fitness center for her runs, the spa for the massage and facial I’ve booked for her, and the pool we can relax in when our workdays are done.

“I can’t wait to see everything in the sunshine.”

“You could make it out, but we overlook Hyde Park. I have two balconies that will allow you a perfect view in the morning. But for now, you need sleep.”

“Am I sleeping in your bed?” she asks as she stifles a yawn.

“I had hoped you would, unless you want a room to yourself. I have two guest rooms.” I want to toss her over my shoulder like a caveman and carry her to my bed, but I didn’t want to make anyassumptions about where she’d like to be. Up until this point, we’ve not been given the option of separate space.

“You’re like a big, personal space heater at night and I tend to get cold, so I’ll be taking over half of your bed for the time being.”

“I was really hoping you’d say that.”

The idea of Kaitlyn in my bed, in my apartment, is nearly too much for me to handle.

“Lead the way then, sir. I’m very sleepy and you’re very rich, which means you probably have an insanely nice mattress. I can hear it calling me from the elevator.”

The lift dings when we reach my floor and the doors slide open to reveal the large, wooden door to my apartment. It’s a keyless entry, so I scan a fob against a small sensor and the lock clicks.

“Home sweet home.” I step aside so she can enter first, mostly because I’m a gentleman. Partially because I want to watch her walk into my home.

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