Page 81 of Ruthless Redemption

She pulls back to look at me. “Even after last night?”

“Of course. You’re everything to me, Stella. You always will be.”

She nods, solemn with her half-hearted smile. “I wish you’d give Matthew another chance. With me living on the other side of the country, you need someone else to love. And to love you back.” She glances to the front of the Lincoln where the man in question waits, his ass pressed against the hood, his arms crossed over his chest as he stares at the jet. “I like him.”

“You’ve made that abundantly clear.”

She engages those puppy-dog eyes of hers. “Let him love you. You deserve it.”

“Be good at school.” I guide stray strands of hair behind her ear, fervently ignoring her. “Make sure Tobias behaves.”

“I will.”

I kiss her forehead and close my eyes. “I miss you already.”

“I miss you, too.” She retreats, each step squeezing more air from my lungs.

“Be safe.” I raise my voice over the jet engines. “Be sensible. Don’t kiss any boys.”

Her beautiful smile beams before she pivots away, her stride leading her to Matthew’s side. I hold my breath as she engulfs him in a hug—one that’s reciprocated. He’s so good with her. How does he do it?

“I’ll be on the jet.” Hunter grabs the suitcases at his feet and starts toward the aircraft.

I don’t acknowledge him. Or Decker and Sarah, who follow his lead with the remaining bags as Stella pulls back to say something to Matthew.

I can’t hear what she says, but I witness her adoration. It kills me. She’s naive and dauntless.

It’s a dangerous combination around a man like him.

With an infectious smile, she swivels toward the aircraft and jogs to catch up with the group. The only one left behind is Keira who remains within reach, watching them from beside me, her silence increasing the awkwardness.

“Can we talk now?” she asks. “I need to say I’m sorry.”

Shewants to apologize?

“I let you down.” She speaks softly over the roaring engines. “You told me you were in love and instead of showing support, I judged you.”

“You didn’t just judge me, Keira—youdisownedme. And I get it. If anyone else made the mistakes I did, I’d hold them accountable, too. But right now, I don’t need another reminder.”

“That’s not what this is.” Her eyes plead with me as Matthew climbs back into the Lincoln. “I never disowned you. Nobody did.”

“Tell that to our brother.” I walk for the car only to be stopped by her hand around my wrist.

“Our brother is a fool. All men are. You know that.” She hustles in front of me, blocking my path. “Wehaven’tdisowned you. Okay? We still love you. Nothing has changed.”

“Everything has changed. I’mstuckhere. I was running for my life in Denver and Cole refused to help. I had no phone. No money. Hemademe leave with Matthew.”

She winces, her gaze cutting to the man behind the wheel. “Has he treated you well?”

My stomach lurches as my mind does a painful recap of his so-called treatment—the encounter on the dining room table, the blood-smeared kitchen bench, the seductive words, the heated arguments.

“Layla? How has he treated you?”

I can’t answer.

I won’t lie and say he’s treated me well. I’ve been engaged in a constant battle against the heart-wrenching tactics he’s used in an attempt to win me back. But he hasn’t treated me horribly either.

“Listen.” Keira sighs. “I understand that you don’t want to talk to me, but you need to know you haven’t been disowned. Matthew made a deal with Cole.”

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