Page 74 of Ruthless Redemption

She says something else to Matthew, then stands, wipes the sand from her butt, and starts toward me.

“Morning, Mom.” Her arms are covered in goose bumps, her smile wide. “Don’t worry. We didn’t go in the water.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” I tug her in for a hug, easing the panic I felt when I woke and found her gone. “Breakfast is ready. I’ll see you inside.”

“Okay. But before I go…” She glances over her shoulder at Matthew who still hasn’t turned to face my wrath and lowers her voice. “Can I tell you how much I think he’s perfect for you?”

“Not now, Stella.” I kiss her temple and drop my arms from her shoulders.

“But he really is. You two have so much in common and he really adores—”

“Not now, Stella.” I add a warning to my tone. An annoyance that I don’t want to inflict when she’s one meal away from returning to Chicago.

She sighs. “Mom, he made a mistake. Give him a second chance.”

“If you don’t hurry, Bishop will have eaten all the bacon.”

She looks at me with disappointment that smarts.

Matthew gets compassion while I get frustration. It isn’t fair.

“I’ll be there in a minute.” I swivel toward the house where Hunter and Decker remain waiting at the yard gate. “Tell the guys to go eat, too.”

I already told them as I passed but obviously they want to watch the fireworks.

She gives another sigh and starts toward them, shoulders slumped. I wait until she’s at the gate before I move closer to Matthew, stopping a foot away to watch him stare at the ocean.

He doesn’t acknowledge me. Doesn’t even spare me a glance.

I want to hate him for it. For everything. And I guess I do. But the negative feelings only dilute the furthest edges of my longing.

“We need to talk,” he mutters to the ocean.

“You’re goddamn right we do. What the hell were you thinking bringing her out here when I told you not to?”

“That’s the least of our problems.” He stands like a shirtless Greek god in the early daylight, his dark hair falling around his eyes. “Stella knows who I am.”

I freeze. Blink.

My mind doesn’t compute.

“My thoughts exactly.” He bends over to pick up his surfboard.

“You told her?” I can barely hear my own voice through the static in my ears. “How could you?”

“I didn’t do shit, Layla. She knew who I was from the moment she got here. Apparently, her and Tobias have spent a substantial amount of time digging into the Costa family behind your back.”

“No.” I shake my head. “She’s just a girl.”

“She’s a fucking crafty genius with balls bigger than mine. And she needs a leash. She’s going to get herself killed if you don’t pull her into line.”

He’s lying.

He told her the truth to mess with me. Now he’s blaming it on her.

“How dare you?” I can’t think through the anger.

“Excuse me? What the fuck have I done apart from stay up all night, pandering to her interrogation?”

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