Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)

He would have taken on any assailants. Would have killed if necessary. It was part of the job. Although he’d planned to leave the work behind, to open CDS instead, he wouldn’t. Staying in Fool’s Gold would be too difficult. Although Angel and Ford were refusing to accept his decision. They still insisted he would be back. Time would prove them wrong, he thought.

Greta came out with a shopping bag over one arm. “They are arguing about cheese,” she said with a laugh. “Johann is being very stubborn today.” Her smile faded. “Your eyes are sad, Justice. I think you have left a woman behind, yes?”

He nodded.

“She has your heart, then. And you feel the loss.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

“Fine. An American word with no meaning.” She wrinkled her nose. “While my husband tells me I’m a great beauty, I see the truth in the mirror. You’re not here because of your affection for us. You are here for the job, yes? But is it where you should be? Do you see truth in the mirror?”

“Trying to get rid of me?”

“You know I trust you with the lives of my children. I would like you to stay always. When you’re around I feel safe. Klaus is the same. But you are not...” She frowned. “What is the word? Irreplaceable.”

She moved closer and lowered her voice. “Do you love her?”

He nodded.

“Did she ask you to leave or did you make the decision for her?”

“How did you—”

“Men,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Why do you think you know best? It was like that with Klaus. What he did was too dangerous. He wouldn’t presume to invite me to share his life. He could be killed at any time. How he went on and on. Yet here we are, twelve years later. Do I feel the fear? Of course. Are there nights I can’t sleep? Ya. But I love him and I have my children with him. The future will be here and then we will know what is to happen.” Her expression turned shrewd. “I am disappointed that you would give up so easily.”

“I didn’t give up. I made the difficult decision.”

“Is it what she wanted?”

He didn’t answer.

Greta sighed. “I thought not. Foolish, foolish man.”

She shook her head and returned to the cheese shop.

Justice watched her go, knowing she was wrong. He couldn’t...couldn’t...

The truth slammed into him like an angry bull. He swore under his breath as he glanced around and realized what he’d done. What he’d lost. By walking away he’d allowed his father to win. Even from the grave, Bart kept him from the only thing that was important—the people he loved.

When had suffering become so damned noble?

* * *

GETTING FROM THE French Alps to Fool’s Gold with little notice wasn’t easy. Justice took a train to Paris and from there got on a flight to New York. He had a six-hour layover, waiting for a seat to San Francisco, where he rented a car, arriving in the still-sleeping town after thirty hours of travel.

It was nearly five in the morning. He drove through the quiet streets, his heart pounding, his palms slick with sweat. He hadn’t called or given any warning; he was just going to show up and hope for the best. It had only been two weeks. Patience couldn’t have fallen out of love with him that quickly, could she? He still had a chance.

He would convince her, he told himself. He would explain how he’d been wrong, thinking he should walk away to protect her. He would beg if he had to, make her see that he would spend the rest of his life making sure she was happy and safe and loved.

He parked in front of her house and walked toward the front door. The house was dark and he swore as he realized it was far too early for him to be knocking on the door and disturbing everyone. After what they’d gone through with his father, he would only upset them. He needed to wait until...

He turned suddenly and started to run. Patience wasn’t in bed asleep; she was at Brew-haha. She always took the morning shift.

He raced through the quiet streets of town. His still-healing wound ached, but he didn’t care. He rounded the corner and saw the glow of the bright lights spilling onto the sidewalk.

One of Patience’s friends—Charlie, he thought—walked out with a to-go coffee. She was with a man. They both glanced at him; then Charlie nudged the guy and whispered something. He hurried past them.

Inside the store, there was a big crowd. Several police officers sat at tables. A few businesspeople waited in line and a couple of old ladies were huddled together in the corner.

But he only cared about Patience. She was working the cash register, her smile bright as she talked to her customers. Only he saw past the pretend enthusiasm to the shadows under her eyes and the way her mouth trembled a little at the corners.

He’d hurt her, he thought sadly. Broken her heart. What had he been thinking?

He crossed to her. She glanced up and saw him. Her hands froze and a couple of dollar bills fluttered to the floor.