Page 200 of Wild Card

There’s no telling if any of this is legally true, but the men don’t interrupt me, letting me pour it on thick.

“What I want to know is why?”

“You took advantage of Joseph. You ignored his accomplishments and put your needs above his. He deserved better.”

Her words bounce off me and I roll my eyes so hard, I get lightheaded.

“Oh my God, I don’t care about Joey. He and I broke up for a reason. We weren’t long-term material. He’s not worth my breath. It sucks he was sleeping with you, but whatevs.” I wave dismissively, using one of Wyatt’s new favorite words, then curl into Talon, placing my free hand on his rock-hard stomach. “I want to know why you hurt me and Wolf.”

Rylee gulps, realization dawning on her. She’s caught. No way to weasel her way out of this. “I’m not saying anything else.”

“Suit yourself.” I shrug indifferently, peering up at Talon. “Am I done here?”

His lips twitch, pride and approval swirling in his hypnotizing gaze. “Yeah, Princess, you’re done. Let’s go home.”

Ford reads Rylee her rights while Ace makes a call. Before Talon steers me away, I glimpse over once more.

She’s not fighting the arrest, mouthing off, or demanding a lawyer. Instead, her eyes are locked on me.

They aren’t blazing with righteousness and hatred.

They’re brimming with tears, loaded with regret and dejection.

Sympathy stirs in my chest.

Talon gently tips my chin back to him, easily reading my sympathy. His thumb skims my jawline. “I love your kind heart, baby, but she doesn’t deserve it.”

He’s right.

All sympathy dissolves because, no matter what, I have Talon.

The room quietsat the tapping of the glass, all attention swinging to my dad, who’s standing at the head of our table.

My face flushes before he even speaks, knowing I’m about to be the center of attention, again.

When Chase graduated, my parents threw an extravagant celebration. Dad’s associates, Chase’s medical school colleagues, family, friends, and neighbors, everyone came to commend my brother on top honors and his success.

He relished in the attention, the ultimate professional at schmoozing and remaining humble.

I was beyond proud, but that was his personality.

Not me. I begged to go low-key when my time came.

I repeated the sentiment a few months ago, especially with my family going up in smoke last year.

Talon had already planned a night at Tom’s after a small family luncheon. That was enough for me.

I extended an invitation to my mom for the luncheon. Being her first time around my grandparents since the separation was sure to be stressful. And with Rylee’s arrest and confession, an intimate luncheon seemed like the best option.

Apparently, Talon, Dad, and Chase didn’t agree.

The men in my life took matters into their own hands.

Which is why, when Talon and I walked into the back room of my favorite Italian restaurant this afternoon, I almost passed out.

It may not be as large as Chase’s party, but everyone in my life is here.

This was shocking enough, but seeing April and Mark standing in the front of the crowd, I burst into tears.

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