Page 61 of Hidden Heir, Italian Wife

“You’ve stood with me in battles and collected your share of bruises. That’s all this is, Jax. And I genuinely don’t care what people think or say about me because I have Dom. And you and the rest of the family, obviously, but knowing Dom loves me makes me feel able to withstand anything. That’s why I don’t understand why Bree’s not here with you. I would swear she loves you and would want to be supportive.”

“I told her not to come.” It would have gone a long way to mending things between them, but he’d hurt her instead. Again. He’d seen it. “I’m trying to protect her.” But he was failing. Miserably.

“Her?” Eve asked in gentle challenge. “Or yourself?”

“You think I’m protecting myself?” He released a choke of humorless laughter. No, he was punishing himself, he realized. And hurting Bree in the process, which made him feel even worse.

“What then? Do you love her?”

He sent his sister a helpless look, unable to fight it any longer. Yes, he loved his wife. With everything in him. Being apart from her was killing him.

“Have you told her?”

He looked away, growing even more sick with himself.

“Oh, Jackson,” she said with deep disappointment.

Yeah. He’d messed up. So badly.

“I need to go see her.”

“Yes, you do,” Eve muttered to his back as he walked out.

Two hours later, he was buzzing Melissa’s condo, but wasn’t getting an answer.

He tried texting Bree. Nothing.

He tried Melissa. Melissa replied.

We’re visiting Q’s family in Miami.

With Bree?

Three dots came and went a few times, making him swear under his breath.

Finally…

She said she’ll be in touch when she’s ready.

He hit the button to place a video call to his mother-in-law.

“Hello, Jackson.” Melissa’s smile was friendly enough, if wearing a hint of tested patience.

“Is she with you?” he asked.

“No.” She seemed surprised by that.

“Where then?”

“Jackson—” She held her breath, then exhaled. “I have to let Bree take lead on this.”

He was standing in full sun, trapped in the oven-like alcove at the entrance to her building, but he was suddenly covered in a cold, clammy sweat.

“I’ve become one of those relationships you let her manage on her own, haven’t I?” Like her father? The one Bree had cut out of her life for good a week ago?

Knives turned in the pit of his gut.

Melissa smiled more gently, but he could hear her telling him the night before their wedding,I’ve learned my lesson about offering second and third chances. You won’t get any.

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