Page 140 of Covenant

I’ve spent so long being selfless where Wyatt is concerned.

I think…I think it’s time I learned to be selfish. One thing The Firm has taught me is I’m not a good man. I’m capable of doing things others would consider depraved. Evil.

I take unspeakable risks on a daily basis.

Maybe it’s time I take a risk on my heart instead.

32

WYATT

I’m curled under a blanket on the couch, watching TV and trying to motivate myself to actually send out my CV when the door handle clicks. My heart leaps into my throat and falls just as quickly as the unexpected guest steps inside.

It’s a Buckingham, but not the one I want to see.

Dalton steps inside, his sharp gaze sweeping over the space. I know he’s taking in the pile of unwashed laundry, the take-out containers littering the counters, and the dirty dishes piled haphazardly in the sink.

The old Wyatt would’ve been embarrassed, but I can’t find it in myself to care. About anything, if I’m being honest. Nothing except Jackson. Seeing as he’s fine, albeit still annoyed with me, I can let the darkness overtake me.

I should be surprised one of Matthias’s brothers has made an appearance, but I’m not. I’m just surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. I figured Harley would be banging my door down a day in.

It makes me wonder what Matthias said to them. Maybe nothing. Maybe he’s truly fine and has gone back to his normal life like nothing happened.

Unlike me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, pausing my show and turning to look at him. My voice sounds flat. Dead.

Just like me.

His lips purse as his eyes rove over me. “You look like shit. Matthias won’t like that.”

My heart flutters at his name, the fact that maybe he’s checking up on me. That he still cares. “Again, I’ll ask why are you here?”

Dalton moves around my space, his thieving fingers trailing over the things I’ve yet to organize and put away. I’ve just not been motivated. A sliver of me is holding out hope that I won’t need to stay here long. That maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to come home.

And I don’t mean the house I shared with Matt. I mean him. The man I love. The one I can’t decide if I want to throttle or kiss.

Dalton shrugs. “Wanted to come talk to you. See if I could make you see sense. Talking to Matthias is like talking to a wall. A caved-in one, with mold on it.”

I watch as he picks up a utility bill and reads it. I should be upset at this invasion of privacy, but I can’t be bothered.

Nothing really bothers me these days.

“Will listening to you make you leave?” I ask heavily.

“Yeah. I guess so.”

Before he can move to sit, Jackson appears, stopping short when he sees the stranger in the house.

“Who’s this?” Jackson asks, his eyes sliding up and down Dalton. I don’t like the flare of heat in them. What the fuck does he think he’s doing? Dalton’s far too old for him. And is Jackson even into guys? I don’t know. I’ve never asked.

Dalton doesn’t seem to notice, grinning politely and holding out his hand. “Dalton. Matthias’s younger and much more handsome brother.”

Jackson slips his palm against Dalton’s and they shake. “Well, hopefully, you can talk some sense into him. He’s been miserable.”

“So has Matthias.”

Jackson nods, and I roll my eyes, even though my heart flutters to life once more. He’s miserable. Which means he must miss me. Right? He must regret sending me away.

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