Page 56 of At His Wife's Behest

“It’s not your fault. Whoever the blackmailer is—they’reat fault.”

“I still should’ve come to you first before telling my father I wouldn’t pay. You should’ve had a voice in this decision.”

Connor dragged him closer. “I’m not upset. I would’ve told you to doexactlywhat you did.”

“Knowing you might lose your job?” Kellan winced. “Jobs.”

“Even knowing that. No one has the right to hold that over your head, demanding money. It was wrong, and they didn’t deserve a cent.” Connor pressed a kiss to Kellan’s lips. “I’ll survive. It’ll blow over soon, and maybe I can find a public-school gig in the fall.IfI’m let go.” He looked down at his phone. “To be honest, it’s not all that clear who you’re with. They were focusing on you, not me. My back is to the camera in almost all of these.”

“True,” Kellan said. “But they were following me for research to hurt my dad. I doubt they didn’t dig to find out who you were. And if they didn’t, TMZ and their ilk likely will. I’m sorry.”

Connor sighed. “It’s okay.”

“The offer stands. If the media circus lands outside Allton, I won’t bring Abigail through that mess.”

“Might be best… for a while… to have someone other than you or Emma taking her to school. Might keep them away from Abigail.”

“Maybe.” He caressed Connor’s face. “And keep them away from you, too, if they haven’t hunted down a name.”

“School’s over in a few weeks. If we can throw them off the scent that long, I can ride the year out. Maybe it’ll have died down by the new school term.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to make that happen. I’m sure Emma would help.”

“Thanks,” Connor replied before stealing another kiss. “We’ll make it through this okay. And if you’re not feeling okay, you need to tell me so we can talk it out.”

Kellan stared into Connor’s face, utterly appreciative. “Yeah. Same for you.”

“We’re going to be okay,” Connor said, hugging him tight. “We’ve got each other.”

Kellan leaned into Connor’s embrace, sensing for once that everything would be okay. He could weather any storm with Connor and Emma at his sides.

Connor held Kellan tight, worry filling his chest. More so for Kellan’s peace of mind and concern for Abigail being in the middle of it all, less about his own situation. While he’d used the money he’d made at Equis to pay off his student debt, he’d also saved up a nice little nest egg to get him through—in case an employer found out where he worked in his spare time.

There was a chance that could all come out and if it did, his life could spiral. But all things were temporary. In time, they’d be able to breathe again and rebuild from the ashes.

He stared down at a sleeping Kellan, sensing it was exactly where he belonged, pandemonium be damned. Kellan was worth losing it all—as long as he never lost the most important thing.

The most importantman.

“I love you,” he faintly whispered to Kellan.

Kellan stirred slightly, and Connor tensed. He hadn’t been ready for Kellan to hear those words. Not yet.

“Love you, too,” Kellan whispered, sleepily before drifting off again.

Connor grinned, wondering if Kellan had been conscious enough to know what he’d said. Either way, he’d said it, and Connor would hold it tight.

He might need it to get him through the coming storm.

10

One year later…

Kellan stood at Emma’s side in front of the preacher, listening as he spoke before the small gathering seated on the wide lawn in the back of the big house. The sky above was the perfect shade of blue, and for once, the heat wasn’t hot enough to rob someone of their will to live. Abigail held his hand, twirling the basket of rose petals from side to side, allowing the few left to flutter toward the ground around her feet.

The soliloquy ended, and the vows were exchanged. Kellan held his breath when the preacher announced, “If anyone sees any reason why these two should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

He scanned the small crowd, new friends and associates, and the few family members who hadn’t excommunicated them after they’d both come out.

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