Page 54 of Bourbon Wishes
"Why the fuck did you fire her?"
"I didn't fire her. Jesus Christ." I tug at strands of my hair, frustrated. "I would never fire her, but she's stressed the fuck out about me being her boss. I knew she'd never fall for me if that situation continued, so I handled it."
"By firing her."
I growl wordlessly, seriously contemplating how pissed she'd be if I hit him. Knowing her, she'd set my truck on fire, probably with me in it, so I decide not to hit him. Yet, anyway. "Do you have any idea how smart your sister is?" I ask instead. "Her talents are wasted running our social media channel when her real skill is people. Everyone loves her. It's impossible not to love her if you know her. We need that.Ineed that," I say. "So I planned to let her create a marketing department. She'll have her own team, make her own decisions. And she won't have a boss."
He cocks his head to the side. "How the fuck do you think that'll work? It's still your family's company."
"Not if she owns it."
"What?"
"I'm signing over my shares of the winery to her. The land stays in the family, but we're allowed to do whatever the hell we want with the winery and the restaurant. Part of it is now hers. Or it will be as soon as she signs the papers," I mutter. "Since I'll no longer own any part of the winery, she won't answer to anyone but her damn self."
He stares at me for a long moment and then mutters a curse. "You're giving her a winery just so you can keep sleeping with her. You are not making me want to hit you any less."
"Fuck no," I snarl. "I'm giving her what she deserves so she knows she always has a job, regardless of whether she's sleeping with me or not. I want my ring on her finger. But if she decides that isn't what she wants—and I pray to God that isn't what she decides—it'll still be hers. The vineyard will still be her home." I rake a shaking hand through my hair. "I'll sign it all over to her if that's what it takes to convince her."
"To convince me of what?"
I spin toward the door, my heart in my throat when I see her standing on the porch, her arms wrapped around herself and her eyes wide in her pale face. She's so fucking beautiful. Even though it's obvious she's been crying, she's still perfect.
"Constance." I take a step toward her, stumbling. Fucking shaking like an addict in the throes of DT staring at a bottle.
Caleb steps up in front of me, blocking my path.
"Move or I'll move you," I warn him, not kidding. She's right there within reach, and he's the thing standing in my way. Yeah, I'll move him. Maybe I'll regret it afterward, but right now? He needs to get the hell out of my way.
"Make her cry again, and I'll rip your balls out through your throat," he says, pitching his voice so it doesn't carry to her. "Break her heart, and they'll never find your body."
I jerk my chin in a nod, silently letting him know I hear him. I get it. Shit, I've issued the same threat once before myself—to Arwen's husband. And I meant that shit all the way to my soul, just like he means it now. But I swear on everything that's holy, if he doesn't get out of my goddamn way and let me get to my girl, I'm going through him.
Luckily, it doesn't come to that.
He gets out of my damn way.
Chapter Eleven
Constance
Bastian takes the frontsteps two at a time, his eyes locked on my face like he's drowning for the sight of me. Even in the porchlight, he looks nervous as hell, shaken in a way he's never been. The man has two moods, cranky and crankier. Right now, he's neither. He seems…scared. It's unexpected because nothing scares him. He's solid, unyielding, so damn incontrol it infuriates me sometimes. But scared? Never. Except…he is right now.
The realization makes my chest ache.
"Constance." His throat works as he swallows, his gaze flickering across my face.
"Hi," I whisper. It's not my best line, but it's the only one I have in this moment, when he's standing in front of me and I feel a little bit like I'm drowning, too. He matters more than anything ever has. And I'm just as scared as he is.
"Can…can we talk, baby?" He shoves his hands into his pockets. "We can do it right here if you want. I just…there are things I need to say to you before you decide to walk away from me for good."
I thought my heart broke today when I was holding the listing for my job in my hands, but I guess it's not finished cracking. Because the way his voice shakes when he says that has it splintering all over again. Ihatethat we're here right now, with everything so messed up and uncertain. It shouldn't be this way. He should know how I feel. He should have known days ago.
I flick my gaze to my brother, who is standing halfway down the sidewalk, pretending he isn't watching us even though we all know that's exactly what he's doing. "We're going to the guest room to talk," I murmur to him.
Caleb sighs and then jerks his chin in a nod. "I'll be in the living room."
It's a reminder to me that he's here if he needs me. And maybe a warning to Bastian, too. I may not need him to protect me anymore, but brothers never really outgrow those instincts.
