Page 129 of Angel Eyes

“While you were gone, I realized all this shit isn’t half as important as we make it seem. The promotions, the prestigious awards, the flashy cases—it’s all just a song and dance to keep the corporate machine running, to distract us from the things that really matter, like actually living instead of just existing. When I die, I don’t want my obituary to read like a résumé or for there to be a bunch of guys in suits standing around at my funeral applauding how I dedicated my life to the job instead of to the people I cared about.”

He took a weighted step toward me, crowding me against the counter. “I want to have a family, and I want one with you. I’ll make an effort to be more present, for you and for our future kids should we choose to have them. And whether or not you want to continue practicing law I’ll support whatever decision you make.”

I brought the tea to my lips, taking a shaky sip before setting it down. It was strange hearing Kyle say all the things I’d once hoped to hear, words that might have saved our relationship if only they had come sooner.

He folded a hand over my arm. “I know I missed the mark, but I want another shot. And I’m prepared to make whatever concessions you deem necessary in order for that to happen.”

I pulled out of his grasp, grabbing the mugs and placing them in the sink. Bracing my hands on the counter, I let my eyes drift shut for a moment before turning to face him.

“Listen, Kyle, I appreciate you saying all this, but there’s something you need to know.”

He paused, his brows drawing together. Then his lips flattened into a hard line as a flicker of realization passed behind his eyes. “Is this about that guy? The one who threatened to—let me see, how did he phrase it—put me in the fucking ground?” He scoffed, and I lifted my chin in defiance. Yes, Gabriel had threatened him—because he deserved it. And even though Gabriel and I were over, I wasn’t going to apologize for his behavior when he had been acting in my defense.

Kyle dragged a hand over his mouth, propping the other on his hip as he regarded me.

“Okay,” he said finally, “if you had a summer fling, then so be it. Maybe you’ve been on the straight and narrow too long and needed a chance to rebel a little. Or, I don’t know, maybe you did it out of resentment toward me. Either way, I’m prepared to look past it.”

“It wasn’t just a fling, Kyle.” I swallowed around a knot in my throat. “I fell in love with him. It was … what we had was real.”

His eyes hardened, and a muscle in his jaw twitched, giving away his irritation. “Is that so? Well, if it was so real, where is he?” His words hit me directly in the chest, winding me, and I released a shuddering exhale.

“You should go.”

He straightened, drawing himself up to his full height as we stared at each other on opposite sides of an invisible line. His expression oscillated between frustration and regret before he nodded curtly, and I followed him to the door.

“My offer still stands,” he said, turning to me again. Lifting a hand, he brushed my cheek lightly with his knuckles. “Whatever happened with that guy, it doesn’t matter. He’s gone, and I’m here. And we can still have it all.” He stared at me for another moment, then dipped his head to place a kiss where his hand had been. “Come home, sweetheart.”

I stepped out of his reach, retreating toward the kitchen as an ache expanded in my chest.

Come home.

The trouble was, I wasn’t sure where home was anymore.

Forty-Five

Gabriel

Blowing out an anxious breath, I curled my hand into a fist and raised it to Juliet’s door. But before I could knock, I dropped it again, dragging it up over my forehead.

I had really fucking blown it.

After talking to Cristian yesterday, I’d come straight here intending to beg Juliet for forgiveness. But whether out of fear or self-loathing, I couldn’t bring myself to knock and ended up sitting outside her door for hours, head in my hands, heart breaking all over again. Like a bad dream, the memory of the night I ruined everything kept playing on a loop in my head until I was sick from it, my stomach churning with so much shame and regret that I couldn’t bear to face her. All she wanted was for me to trust her, and I failed.

I’d come back this morning, but she either hadn’t been home or hadn’t answered. And now, here I was again, except this time, I wasn’t leaving. I would wait all day for her if that’s what it took. Because the truth was, there was no me without her, no future I wanted any part of if she wasn’t in it. And even though I couldn’t take back what I’d done, I was prepared to spend the rest of my life showing her I was worthy of her love, her trust, her.

Bracing myself, I lifted my hand to the door again just as it swung open, revealing a man standing on the other side of it. A flicker of surprise lit his features, and he blinked, taking me in with a calculating look.

He took a step forward, filling the doorway. “And who might you be?”

There was an edge to his tone that suggested he knew exactly who I was, just like I knew who he was. If the American accent and general air of privilege hadn’t given him away, the way he was glaring at me now certainly would have done the job.

Kyle.

I gave him an unimpressed look. “I’m here to see Juliet.”

His expression darkened. “She’s not receiving visitors right now.” He stepped into the hallway, pulling the door behind him as though he meant to keep me from entering. “Whatever you have to say to her, you can say to me.”

“I doubt that,” I said, making an effort to sound calm despite the tension in my shoulders. “And you don’t speak for her, or did you miss the part where she told you she’s not your property?”

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