Page 78 of The Charmer's Gambit
“With a note that said, ‘From my family to yours,’?” Mark added. “Sorry, but that was my favorite part. Well, and the whole attacking-him-inside-his-own-home bit. Nice.”
Will shrugged. “Seemed appropriate. He knocked out Sam and Beau because he couldn’t get directly to me. I wanted him to know that my contacts don’t lack that particular skill set.”
I gaped at him. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“Because this wasn’t so much about you as about me informing Albertson that I’m not an enemy he wants to fuck with lightly.”
“And now your ex will think twice about touching you,” Mark said. “Because not only would he be putting his career on the line, but he would have to maneuver around Mershano. Which he now knows would be easier said than done.”
My gaze flipped back and forth between them. I was torn between frustration and relief. “You should have told me, Will.” If anything, just so I knew. “But I’m glad you did it.” His connections should have scared me, but I knew him too well to fear him. He wasn’t Ryan. He would never use those contacts against me. But he would use them to protect me should I need it.
Warmth flowed from my chest at the realization that for the first time in years, Ryan Albertson couldn’t touch me.
No more threats.
No more texts.
No more calls.
No more pain.
Freedom.
I blinked back tears as I studied the men before me. I worried this moment would leave me feeling weak, but it was the opposite. Strength and pride lit me from within.
Yes, Mark had done most of the heavy lifting, and Will used his influence to intimidate Ryan, butIwas the one who asked for help. I trusted them with the darkest part of me and let them guide me to the light.Thattook courage.
It wasn’t so much physical as mental, and now I was ready to begin the next step of my healing process. The part where I never allowed Ryan to control me again. It wouldn’t happen overnight. Just thinking about the last time I saw him sent a chill down my spine, but someday, it would disgust me more than frighten me. Knowing he could never touch me again allowed me to start building a new wall, one that belittled his impact on me, and fortified my resolve.
“Thank you,” I whispered, then cleared my throat to say it again with more strength. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to articulate what you’ve done for me.”
Will set his wine on the glass table before joining me on the couch to wrap me in his arms. I melted into him with a content sigh as he kissed the top of my head.
“I love you,” he said, his lips brushing my ear. “I’ll always be here when you need me.”
“I know, and I love you too.”
“And I’ve apparently chosen the wrong time to enter the room. Or perhaps the right time,” Garrett mused as he joinedus in the living area. His unexpected presence immediately drew Mark’s undivided attention, or maybe it was an excuse to not observe my embrace with Will.
“Everything good?” Will didn’t sound at all fazed by his friend’s abrupt arrival. He had warned me that Garrett would be stopping by today, but I didn’t realize the man would just walk right in like he owned the place.
“Other than your cousin losing his mind, sure,” he replied as he smoothed a hand over his black tie. Then he trained that startling blue gaze on Mark. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
My friend stood to shake The Devil’s hand, and a moment passed between them that unsettled the room. Garrett might look fancy in that designer suit, but I sensed that a fighter lurked beneath the clothes. One who wasn’t averse to a little pain, and it seemed Mark sensed it as well.
“Your employer intrigues me,” Garrett finally said, cocking his head to the side. “We should talk.”
“Indeed,” Mark agreed.
“If you two are done flirting, I have one final question on the Albertson case.” Will’s voice held a touch of amusement, but his expression was bored. “Does he know we’re behind the media leak?”
Oh, I hadn’t thought to ask that. Good question.
“No, he assumes it’s a political opponent, but his sources are digging into it. If they find anything, and that’s a big if, it won’t point to our meddling.” He didn’t sit down again, and I wondered if it was because of Garrett. Both men maintained casual stances, but neither looked entirely comfortable with the other. “As I’ve already stated, I’m not concerned, especially with Rachel moving in with you next month. Which reminds me”—his devious gaze swung my way—“do you need any help packing? I’ll actually be in town for a bit.”
“Uh . . .” I didn’t get a chance to say anything else, as the other men in the room spoke over each other.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, not you too,” Garrett said as Will pulled away with, “You’re moving in with me?”
