Page 60 of Nothing to Beat

Did he have to be so sentimental?“Do you know what it’s like to have something done in your name without ever having a say in how it came about?”

“Is that why you’re here?Putting distance between you?Did you finish it?”

“We finish every other week, you know that.We weren’t even together when he did this.We didn’t talk or… I can’t let his life spiral.I can’t.”

“So what’s your plan?Stay away from New York until he gives up on you and moves on?”His brow moved a fraction.“Because you know he won’t.He won’t move on.You’ve got to know how he feels about you—I know you know it.Every guy who’s ever seen you two together knows it and hates you both for making it look so easy.”

When his smile returned, she managed a feeble response.Okay, maybe a tiny smidge of sentimentality was allowed.

“I love him.”

“And he loves you.What happened to having a baby?”

“Oh, God,” she groaned.“He told you too?What does that man not understand about private?He’s the most private guy there is, but this he blabs everywhere?”

“Because he’s proud of you,” Bastian said on a snicker, “and the future he wants with you.Why should he keep that a secret?”

“Future.Future.Future.Everything’s always about the future.Meanwhile, there’s my father, looming large, just waiting for me to take the Breckenridge name.I know it.I know him.That’s what he’s waiting for.It feels like everyone’s just holding their breath.This whole space, distance, thing is a con.He wants us to believe he’s forgotten about me and Breck, that he doesn’t care.I guarantee he does.About himself, yes, and his interests.When it comes to either of those things, he’s all about the caring and paying attention.”

“Breck wouldn’t let him hurt you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.I’ve lived with it, I know how to handle it.I’d never visit that on the Breckenridges.Can you imagine anything worse?They’re such a good, kind family.”

Why did she have any right to be a part of something so pure and virtuous?More of that Gambatto selfishness shone through.Her blood shouldn’t poison theirs.It wouldn’t be right.Why couldn’t she help herself?

“The Breckenridges care about you, they love you.They wouldn’t want you to think you’re alone in this.You’re not alone in this.It’s okay to rely on others, to take help when it’s offered.Wouldn’t you help someone you cared about?”

Yes, and he knew that.Giving was so much easier than taking.This wasn’t as simple as helping someone move to a new apartment.This situation could actually come with physical harm.Others were ignorant to that; it was on her to defuse the risk.Or walk away.

“I’m the only one who can fix it,” she said, “who can make a difference and protect them from being exploited.”

“How?How do you plan to do that?”

Oh, she could fib, she could hide and cower, but this was Bastian.Not trusting him was impossible.She’d seen him with his sister, with his mother, with the Breckenridges.

His consideration was so genuine, it was intoxicating.

And, as anticipated, this was where the need to brace kicked in.“I spoke to the prosecutor in Chicago.”

There.It was out.

Instantly, he starched his spine and furrowed that brow.“You’re going to testify?”

“No!No.I was very clear about that.I just gave him… a nudge or two.”

“What did Breck say when you—you haven’t told him, have you?”

Yeah, he probably got that from her wincing cringe.“I need him to be safe.”

“He thinks the same thing about you.Jesus, Seq, what if something had happened to you?”

No need to overreact.“We were in Chicago one night.I’m here.I’m fine.”

“Everything I heard about Roxanna suggested—I can’t believe Tripp let you do this.”

When he grabbed for the arms of the chair as though he intended to get up, she lunged over to snatch his hand and stop him.

“He didn’t know, doesn’t know, neither of them do.Not that I gave the ADA anything.They were there when I met the prosecutor at first, they thought I just wanted to ask questions about the chances of success.”

---