Page 69 of Jealous Boss

She shifts slightly. “You already said that.”

“I’ll keep saying it,” I whisper. “Forever, if I have to. Until you believe I’ll give it all up if that’s what it takes to keep you.”

She lifts her head, frowning slightly, guilt swimming in her luminous eyes. “But I don’t want you to give it all up. You worked so hard for that named partnership. And now you’re?—”

“I’m not losing anything if I have you.” I sit up, pulling her gently into my lap, cupping her face. “I’m good at what I do. If it’s not at this firm, it’ll be another. But there’s only oneyou, Pia. I’ll never be that reckless with you again.”

She’s quiet for a beat. Then, “I hate how I left things with Uncle Phil.”

“I know,” I say softly. “And I’m going to fix that too.”

“Ethan—”

“He was pissed, and he put the blame where it belonged. On me. But he hurt you too, and I’m not fucking having that.” I kiss her temple again.

Pia insists on coming with me, and I don’t even think about refusing her. I’m secretly pleased and relieved that my little mission puts that determined sparkle back into her eyes and dries her tears.

Thanks to a quick call to Maggie and a promise to up her bonus to the ten percent she was angling for all those weeks ago when I foolishly thought dumping Pia on her was the right course of action, I track Philip to his home address seven blocks away.

He doesn’t look thrilled to see me when he opens the door twenty minutes later. “You’ve got a nerve coming here after the way you’ve compromised my niece.”

“I didn’t come here to defend myself,” I say. “I came to tell you the truth. What happened with Pia… it was real. Itisreal. I know you’re pissed with me, but you owe your niece an apology. She didn’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire between you and me. And she needs to know you’re not angry with her.” My steady glare dares him to argue differently.

His jaw ticks. “Does she know you threw away your future for her?”

“I haven’t thrown anything away,” I reply. “I love her. She is my future.”

There’s a long pause. Then Pia steps out from behind me.

Quiet, poised, stronger than I’ve ever seen her. “And just so we’re clear, Uncle Phil, the last thing I feel is compromised.”

She moves to my side. Looks up at me, and the bright, beautiful emotion in her eyes makes my heart lurch.

“I’m sorry you heard things that may have been… unsavory,” she tells her uncle. “But I’m not ashamed of what I feel for Ethan. He loves me.” Her eyes hold mine, and she smiles. Andfuck, the sight of her gorgeous dimples makes meweak. Grateful that I get to see them again. For a lifetime if I play my cards right.

“I love him,” Pia continues, making me weaker, desperately grateful. “And I think you know you’d be a fool to let him walk away. He’s the best person for this firm. And I’d hate to watch you regret that when you calm down.”

Philip stares at her like he’s seeing her for the first time. “Pia, you’re young, only?—”

“Twenty years old. I know. Everyone keeps reminding me. But I know what I want. I want Ethan. And I need you to respect that,” she insists firmly.

Philip’s lips thin for awkwardly long beats, then he nods. “Well, if you’re sure?” he pushes softly.

She reaches for my hand and squeezes. “I’ll never love anyone like I love him,” she says. “We’re in this together. Always.”

And I’mwrecked.

Absolutely wrecked by her.

Philip rubs a hand down his face. Then sighs. “You’re right. I was angry. Protective. I apologize for how I reacted.” He eyes me. “To both of you. It’ll take some getting used to though, so I might need a minute.”

I nod. “I get it. If someone touched her the way I did, distressed her the way we both did, I’d react the same.”

Philip gives a half-smile. “Well, come in. I think we have some celebrating to do.”

Two minutes later, champagne in hand, even for a defiant Pia who insists she’d drunk it many times…in Switzerland, Philip holds out his hand to me.

“Congratulations…partner.” He laughs. “I have to say, it would’ve stung a helluva lot if I had to officially fire you. Glad I don’t have to now.”

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