Page 45 of Nothing to Beat

“There’s no future without you,” she said.“It’s just… blank.”

“Agreed.So we have no choice, we’re going to do this.We fucked around with it for years and I have to admit…”

“Admit?”she prompted because it wasn’t like him to censor himself, especially with her.

They could say anything to each other.Anything.Was that true?Why wasn’t she telling him the truth of her location and what she was doing?Because he’d want to be with her, and she couldn’t let this toxicity touch him.And they’d only forget they weren’t supposed to…

“Some part of me always assumed you’d get over it.”

“Get over my family poisoning yours?”She could believe he believed that, which proved he didn’t understand the depth of her fear.“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for your family or their integrity.Just being together… Have you never considered what people thought when they saw us together?”

“You know I don’t care about the opinion of others.”

No, he might not, that didn’t mean those opinions didn’t do damage.

“They saw us together, and everyone in New York knows you.”In the Breckenridge circles anyway.“They didn’t know me, and whenever someone asked, you want to know what they said to identify me?”

“You’re the smartest, most beautiful woman in the country?”

The flatness of his words proved he anticipated where she was going.

“They said I was a Gambatto.That my heritage contradicts yours.They look at us and judge both of us for tainting the pure, wholesome Breckenridge brand.”

“And if you thought I gave a damn about the brand—”

“Think about more than yourself,” she beseeched.“The work your parents do—”

“My mom adores you, and don’t even get me started on how much my father values you.It would hurt if they found out this was why you kept us apart.You’re worrying about New York society—”

“It’s more than New York society.”

“And we’re not living in the fucking Victorian era.I love who I love and I won’t apologize for that.”

“Our children would be at risk.If my father learned we had a child, he would’ve been a threat to them the moment I said he wasn’t allowed near them.”

“Two of my brothers specialize in security.Our child would never be at risk.”

She sighed.“You’ve made your choice.Let me make mine.”

“You are my choice.”

One of them would have to surrender.“I love you.”

“And that’s enough.”His voice softened.“That’s it.All we need.Come home, Coy, and we’ll figure this out together.”

“I will,” she whispered.“I will come home.Just not yet.”

“Because…?”

“These are my demons.If I’m going to get over this, I have to do this my way.Trust me, Stat, please.”

He exhaled.Yes, there was irritation there, but there was resignation too.“You have until you’re next ovulating.”She smiled.“We have a job to do.”

“The only one you have right now.Breck Breckenridge unemployed, who’d have thought it?”

“Actually, I’ve been inundated with offers.”No surprise there.“Nothing suitable yet.”

“Because every Fortune 500 is clamoring for you.And you can’t have a job that pays well?Are you really the only person on the planet coveting poverty?”

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