Page 99 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“What do you think we should do instead?” I crush him to me and bury my face in his neck.

“Not dictate what’s going to happen without asking our opinion. We should decide together since it involves all of us.”

“You’re right, I can do that.” I swear his scent could get me to agree to anything.

He hugs me so hard, my back pops.

“I won’t make a joke about you being an old man with back issues.” He steps back. “I’m on Alec duty tonight but starting tomorrow we’ll come up with a plan for the future.” He hugsMadyson and kisses the top of her head. “See ya,” he says as he walks out.

It’s a good sign he’ll come back, but I’m not sure how he feels.

“You’ve been quiet.” I sit next to her on the love seat.

“Emmet doesn’t understand Peter, but I do. Peter made himself the victim and blamed you. You think it’s your idea to protect us, but it’s what he wanted all along.” Her green eyes hold me in place.

Peter has always manipulated me, and I didn’t see it until it was too late.

“He’s a master at twisting things and getting you to do what he wants. Peter can’t win this game. His goal is to break us up. And we won’t give him that. We’re stronger together.” She reaches out and we clasp hands.

“I’m still afraid he’ll hurt you,” I admit.

“If anything, leaving us will give him satisfaction. Inflicting maximum pain is his goal. He’s never going to stop if he thinks his plan is working. We need to stick together and show him that whatever he tries to do, he can’t break us apart.”

“You’re right.” I scrub a hand over my face. “No matter what, he’ll try to burn us all down.”

“We were so worried about Emmet that we didn’t look at the other photos Peter had.” She stands and retrieves some pictures from the side table, handing them to me. “I found these while we were waiting for Emmet.”

There are pictures I took of Peter in bed. The two of them alone and also some with me.

“The best defense is an offense that comes out swinging. We have proof to deny his claims. Let’s use it.”

Her scent grounds me as I fold her into my arms. “Sorry. I really thought I was doing the right thing. Protecting you is always my goal.” My voice cracks. “Never want to hurt you.”

“It hurts when you even suggest leaving. We need to know you’re in this with us. Until the end.” She burrows into my chest.

“I’m all in. Tomorrow we’re going to bring Emmet home and work this out. Peter or no Peter, I can’t lose either of you.” I lift her chin and press a kiss to her lips. “I think I’m…” The words are heavy on my tongue and feel too big to say without him here.

“Me too.” She understands the words I haven’t spoken.

“I hope it’s not too late.” My eyes itch and my throat swells.

“Not walking away for our own good is the perfect first step.”

Hopefully, Emmet’s coming home for good.

Chapter thirty-four

Emmet

Watching Von get into his rideshare is the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever witnessed.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demand as Alec turns away from Von. Von deserves a proper goodbye.

Alec’s a broken man, but he brought this on himself. He’s been sleeping in my bed upstairs, avoiding Von, while I’ve been at Cole and Shane’s. He could have love, but he’s a coward.

We argue but he's so stubborn it's possibly ruining his life.

These fucking people don’t understand how to love someone. As soon as it gets hard, they bail.

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