Page 128 of The Best of Us

“No, that’s not true. My father would have told me,” she said in disbelief.

“I’m sure your father didn’t want to stress you out, but I assure you, that was the case.” He smiled, adding, “Hard to believe, I know, but I’m a sentimental old man. And I knew my son here would hate to see that brand off the shelves.” He stole a look at me. “Not that I knew the real reason why.”

Flustered, Juliette dropped back on the couch. “What happened?”

“I had no interest in running a bourbon business, so I didn’t offer to buy him out or to become an investor,” he went on.

“He called asking what I wanted him to do. I was on a job in South America for the CIA.”Handling an issue with a cartel that left a lot of blood on my hands, in the very literal sense.I’d keep that thought to myself. “I told my father to give Carmichael whatever he needed and then some to stay afloat. And to do it as an anonymous donor.”

Other details I didn’t plan to share: I’d ended the call and taken a shower, watching the blood go down the drain, feeling as dead on the inside as the lives I’d taken, even if they were all men who deserved to die.

She leaned forward, holding the sides of her temples while murmuring, “We’ve been like two ships passing in the night all this time. It’s almost becoming cruel at this point.”

“You two were meant to find your way to one another, but it wasn’t your time before,” my father said as if the ground was finally steady beneath his feet and understanding had taken over.

He met my eyes, then angled his head for the hall, letting me know he’d give us a moment to talk.

I sat on the couch next to her and held her hand.

“Whoever wrote our story . . . I’d really like to have a word with them,” she cry-laughed while sniffling.

I brought our clasped palms to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “Well, Bianca was a writer.”

Her teary eyes met mine as she whispered, “Then let’s put in a request. Can she write us a happy ending?”

Chapter40

Constantine

“We have news.”Izzy and her timing . . .

She circled the sofa as I pulled my mouth away from Juliette’s.

“Oh shit, sorry.” Izzy sent me an innocent shoulder shrug. “Although, I suppose a little payback is due for all the times you’ve walked in on me, don’t you think?” She couldn’t help herself. It wasn’t in her nature. And she wasn’t wrong.

I maintained hold of Juliette’s hand as we stood. “What’s up?”

“Sean McGregor texted he has information. He’s going to call in a few minutes,” she shared. “And there’s something else I have to tell you.”

If I had to switch gears back to operator mode, I would—anything to keep my family safe. With my attention back on Juliette, I asked, “Would you like to be part of the conversation, or do you want me to relay what I learn after you hang out with Colin and my parents?”

Juliette brought her free hand to my chest. “I’d prefer to leave the op-y stuff to you. Just give me the highlight reel after, okay? No secrets.”

“No secrets,” I promised. “The one about saving your father’s company was my last one. I should’ve thought to tell you sooner.”

“I should’ve thought to thank you sooner.” She blinked a few times. “Gosh, did I remember in my state of shock to say those words to your dad?” Her cheeks turned pink, and I honestly couldn’t recall, but it didn’t matter. In my book, actions spoke louder than words nine out of ten times.

“Don’t thank me. It was meant to be.” I gently brushed my lips across hers, forgetting my sister was behind us.

Juliette let go of my hand and reached up to knock the brim of my hat up to a better position, allowing us to deepen the kiss. I groaned against her lips and sighed when she pulled away, remembering we weren’t alone.

Juliette fixed my hat and turned toward Izzy. “Sorry.”

My sister lifted her hand, waving off the apology. “Don’t be. I love seeing my brother happy.”

Juliette smiled at me, then ran a single finger along my forearm, a silent promise of more to come later.

I had to shut down my body’s immediate reaction before it physically presented itself by tenting my jeans. “Catch up with you soon.”

---