Page 135 of Seal the Deal

“Charlie…”

“I know.” She laughs, but it’s humorless. “That was when I knew it was really over. He didn’t care about me or the kids. It was always just about him.”

Hearing the way he hurt her makes my chest burn with fury. I already hate the guy, but now I want to break his neck. It’s like he’s tried to erase the best parts of her, piece by piece. And I can feel every protective instinct in me flare, demanding I shield her from this kind of hurt forever.

“He’s disgusting,” I spit. “And he thinks he can stroll back into your life and pull rank? Screw that. He’s fucking delusional.”

She doesn’t say anything, just stares out the window as we drive. Finally, she speaks, but her voice is small and uncertain. “I don’t know what he’s planning, and that’s what scares me. He’s never cared much before, but now… There’s nothing in writing, no legal documents proving I have custody. It was all verbal. He could try to take them back.”

“He won’t,” I say firmly, but underneath, I’m rattled. I don’t like that there’s nothing in writing, no formal custody agreement. That bastard could use that to tear her life apart. “We’ll fight him if we have to. You’re a great mom, Charlie. No court is going to take those kids away from you.”

She nods, but I can see the doubt still lingering in her eyes. And honestly, I can’t blame her. Alex isn’t just some asshole we can brush off—he’s a real threat, and I hate that he still has this hold over her.

We pull into the hotel parking lot, and I cut the engine, letting the silence wrap around us. I can feel the anger still bubbling under my skin, but I force myself to focus on her. On Charlie.

She’s staring out the window, her shoulders stiff, bracing herself for whatever bullshit Alex is about to throw at her. And I realise it’s not just anger simmering in me anymore, it’s fear.

Fear that despite everything, Alex might still have some hold on her. Fear that he’ll manipulate her, and she’ll cave. Because she’s got such a big heart and always tries to do what’s best for the kids—even if it means giving in to him. Giving another piece of herself.I can’t let that happen.

I turn to her, grabbing her hand. “Charlie girl, look at me.”

She blinks, her eyes finding mine, and I don’t soften the way I usually do. I need her to see how serious I am. How much I mean every word that’s about to come out of my mouth.

“I love you,” I say, my voice full of conviction. “You and the kids, you’re everything to me. I don’t care what he says—he’s not controlling this. Got it?”

Her eyes widen slightly, and I can see the doubt still lurking there, the worry she’s still carrying. The part of her that thinks maybe she needs to give Alex some kind of power to keep the peace. But I need her to get this. To really hear me.

I grip her hand tighter, leaning closer. “He’s done, Charlie. You’ve been so strong, but I’m here now, too. I’m gonna fight for you, for the kids. And I’ll rip him apart before I let him mess with you again.”

She exhales shakily, her lips parting like she wants to say something, but I keep going. I’m not leaving any room for doubt. Not when it comes to this.

“And I’m not saying this because I think you need saving,” I continue. “But I’ll be damned if he thinks he’s gonna use his words, his size or the past to control you. I’m not letting him pull you back into his web.”

That’s what’s driving me mad—the thought that Alex could still find a way to get to her, through the kids or through his threats. And worse, that Charlie still might give in, thinking she has to.

“You’re mine, and he doesn’t have any power over you.” The words coming out harder than I intend. “Or the kids, or what we have. You're safe with me. ”

Her lips tremble as she leans into me, her forehead pressing against my shoulder. “Jake…”

I cup her face, tilting her head back up to look at me. “You don’t deserve this, Charlie. Not him, not his bullshit. You deserve someone who’s going to stand with you. Someone who’ll fight with you. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

For a moment, it’s just us, the intensity of what I’m saying crashing between us. Her eyes are full of so much emotion but I see the shift in her, like she’s finally letting herself believe me.

“I love you,” I whisper, but it’s not soft. It’s a promise. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

She leans into my touch, her eyes closing for a second as she exhales shakily. I kiss her slowly, like I’m sealing my promise into it.

When we pull back, I brush a thumb over her cheek and nod toward the hotel. “Ready?”

She takes a breath, straightening in her seat. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

As we step out of the car and walk toward the hotel bar, that possessiveness claws its way up inside me. I’ve kept it in check for her sake, but every time I think about Alex—what he did to her, how he treated her, how he let those kids down—I feel it pushing me closer to the edge.

He can try all he wants to mess with Charlie, but he’s not getting near her again.

Not with me standing right here.

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