Page 79 of Twisted Trust
MAEVE
They ruled in his favor.
Of course they did.
People hurry past us in the airport lounge, desperate to catch their flight or run to the next gate to get the best seats to wait. Rain pours outside and I watch two droplets race each other neck and neck down the window while Levi paces next to me.
“I can’tbelievethey didn’t do anything about it, that she didn’t even consider anything you went through!”
He’s been ranting about the case from the courthouse all the way to the airport. It took all my strength to stop him from pulverizing my old landlord. As much as I want to see that man suffer, losing Levi in the process is not what I want. I need him right here with me.
“Please sit,” I say, tapping the table I’m sitting at. “It’s over, that’s all that really matters.”
“Fucking hearsay,” Levi mutters as he finally takes the seat across from me. “I’m sorry, Maeve, I’m so sorry.”
Tearing my gaze away from the raindrops, I look at him. “It’s not your fault.”
“It is. I’m the reason you ran. I can’t believe—” He cuts himself off and briefly runs his hand down his face. “I was furious with you back then because we were all stuck in a lie. Because of that, you were in a shitty apartment and then had to deal with him hurting you, then you had to run because of me. And because of all that shit, I missed out on years with both of you.” Levi shakes his head. “I should have been there to protect you.”
Old stubbornness rises inside me, ready to tell him that I was independent and didn’t need anyone, but it’s not true. Back then, I was alone and I felt so cornered and lost on how to stay safe and raise a baby. I did need him back then. A fog of pain spreads across my chest and it doesn’t ease until I reach across the table and take his hand.
“Listen. What happened, happened. We can’t change it. And it was awful and it sucked, I won’t lie. But we were caught up in someone else’s plan, that’s what you said. And I believe it. Maybe things would have been different and yeah, I would have loved for us to have been this perfect family, but this is what we have. And what I want to focus on is what we have now. Once the money clears, I’ll never have to think about that period of my life ever again.”
The anger clouding Levi’s face fades but it doesn’t vanish entirely. He’s still very much enraged and it’s rather hot to see him so worked up over me.
“I’m sorry,” Levi says earnestly. “I won’t let something like that happen ever again. If anyoneeverhurts you, I’ll?—”
“I know,” I say softly. “You have a protective ego.”
“Ego?” Levi snorts and slides his fingers between mine, intertwining my hands. “You think ego is what drives me?”
“Sure. Can’t have Levi Gallo’s fiancée getting fondled by strangers. What would the families think?” My tone remains light and teasing. “I’m glad you came with me.”
“You’re not mad I ignored your request?”
I shake my head. “I was scared you’d hear all of that and think less of me. That’s why I wanted you to stay away. Plus, you’re you.”
He frowns lightly. “What does that mean?”
“You’d kill him if I let you, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes.” Levi doesn’t even hesitate.
“Exactly. And killing someone in a courthouse means I lose you too and I don’t want that. I just want this to be over.”
Levi studies my face and my cheeks warm under his attention. I want nothing more than to sink into his arms and let him carry me away.
“Let me pay the money, then,” Levi says. “After all, I can’t be seen letting my fiancée pay her own bills.”
Rolling my eyes, I smile. “Fine. I don’t have that kind of money, anyway.”
“My money is your money, remember?”
“Mmhmm.”
Levi ends up dragging his chair to my side of the table and we cuddle together, watching the rain pour and sharing some appetizers while waiting for his jet to be ready. As we sit together, I end up telling him all about Scott’s early life. His first word being ‘Mama’ still brings a tear to my eye. His first steps were in the hallway of my apartment while we were playing with toy snowmen during Christmas. His first solid food was a super ripe avocado I got from the market. His first sentence was ‘no mama’s wrong’. His first day of pre-school broke my heart, but he was so excited and never looked back.
Levi looks a little misty-eyed when we board the plane and at the top of the steps, he pulls me into his arms. “Thank you for sharing all of that.”
