Page 102 of Lilacs and Leather

Her father may not like the people Lex is attracted to, but she’s built an empire on her own. We could cut ties with her family completely and be just fine. So, it can’t be his disapproval that’s holding her back. And Lucas had the right idea when he said that we wouldn’t want to work with anyone who would think less of us because of something we can’t control. Lex clears her throat a little, and I see her set her shoulders out of the corner of my eye.

“If she wants to leave, we can help her get settled somewhere. I’ve got some contacts in Atlanta that could use someone like her,” Lex says, voice sad and flat again.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, confused.

“Lydia. If she wants to—”

I can’t help the bark of surprised laughter that escapes my throat. None of this is funny, but Lex’s solution is soherthat it hurts. The road of least resistance, no matter how stupid and unrealistic.

“Go ahead and suggest in front of Rhett that Lydia should run. I fucking dare you,” I throw at her, rolling my eyes.

Lex only sighs, shaking her head. My stomach drops heavily, seeing where this is going. She wouldn’t do it with Rhett within earshot, but Lex was going to try to convince Lydia that the best choice is for us to part ways. But it’s not. Not by a country mile. What was to stop Seth from tracking Lydia wherever Lex sends her and pointing her ex in her direction then? We’d be too far from her to do anything to help her if the worst were to happen. I didn’t want to live in a reality that didn’t have Lydia by my side, in my arms.

By the time I’m parking in the garage, the silence between us feels like a physical, impenetrable barrier. Lex is locking her heart away, and I’d be damned if she lets her fear chase away the best thing that's ever walked into our lives. Lex moves to get out, but I grab her forearm before she can. She looks at my hand on her arm, then up to my face, hazel eyes bright with surprise.

“I love her, Lexi. I can’t—I don’t want her to go,” I whisper, voice breaking.

I feel the burn in the back of my eyes as I think about all the heartache I’ve been through before, and how it all seemed worth it because Lydia was waiting for me. But if Lex makes her go, I don’t know if I could take it. I love Rhett like a brother, but what I feel for Lydia is more than that. I never want to be without her again, no matter the cost.

Lex looks at me for a long moment, eyes searching. I let her see all of my emotions, the love, the fear, the desperation, the anger, everything. Something shifts between us, and I feel the wall crumble just a little. She puts a hand over mine, and I close my eyes at the warmth of her hand.

“I don’t either, Matty.”

I open my eyes and look at her, the tremble of her voice cutting through me like a knife. Her eyes are distant, but there’s a spark there. Maybe she hasn’t given up just yet.

“We can protect her. We have to,” I push, squeezing slightly.

Lex sits for a moment, and then she nods. I let out a breath that I didn’t realize I’d been holding, my shoulders slumping.

“We have to see what she wants, but if she wants to stay, then we… we’ll do what we have to,” Lex says at last.

Our eyes connect, and something shifts in the air between us. For the first time since Seth came into our lives, I feel like we’re on the same team again. We aren’t fighting against each other, and I can admit that it’s a relief. We’ve spent so long at each other’s throats that I’d nearly forgotten why I agreed to be part of this pack. Alexandra St. Clair may be shrewd, unrelenting, and untouchable at times, but she would do anything for us. Even at the cost of her own happiness. But she deserves the best, someone who can love her and melt that icy heart.

Someone like Lydia.

Forty

Lydia

I’m sitting at the kitchen island, watching Lucas mix ingredients in the stand mixer when I hear the garage door open and close, signaling Mateo and Alexandra’s arrival.My hair is still damp from my shower, and I’m snuggled in one of the fluffy robes Rhett gifted me. Rhett insisted on separate showers, and he’s just finishing up getting the sweat from our workout off. I can still feel some soreness in my hands and hips, but I didn’t mind the latter as much as the former. I blush a little to myself at the memory of his hands on me, the way his voice wrapped around his declaration,

“Penny for your thoughts,” Lucas snarks, making me jump.

I chuckle lightly, rolling my eyes. “Those thoughts cost at least a nickel, maybe even a dime.”

“Nah, Rhett’s dick isn’t worth that much.”

I choke on my inhale, and Lucas cackles with glee as I try to contain the heat in my face and breathe normally.

“I was just guessing, but good to know I was right. Did he bend you over the weight bench? Hang you from the pull up bar?”

“Against the mirror, pet. Mind the dough, or you’re going to over mix.”

I spin in my seat as Rhett’s voice fills the kitchen, and I feel like my face is hot enough to boil water. Rhett’s dressed in sweats and a T-shirt, his hair unstyled and hanging slightly over his brow. He crosses to me, stepping up behind me and wrapping his arms around my shoulders. Lucas has the decency to grin sheepishly even if the glint in his stormy eyes says he’s not sorry in the slightest. He turns his attention back to the dough, pulling the ball out and throwing it onto the flour-covered counter.

I hear the mudroom door open and look as Mateo and Alexandra enter the common space. Mateo makes a beeline to me, and Rhett steps aside for a moment to allow Mateo to take me in his arms. I inhale his lemonade and grass scent, closing my eyes as I relax.

“Is that bottle of Riesling still up here, Luc?” Alexandra asks, throwing herself down into the seat beside me.

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