Singe (Guardian Protection #1)

“Probably. But don’t try to change the subject with flattery. You knew exactly how big of a deal it was for me to introduce you to Jude and you were rude.”

He pulled me into a side hug. “And I’m apologizing, Rhion. Last night, after I left, I did some thinking. I barely slept at all. Look, I’m happy for you. I really am. And I’m trying. It’s going take a little while for me to be comfortable though. You know I worry. And, while I know you don’t have all of the money anymore”—he waved his arm around the apartment—“you are still quite wealthy. Men see that—”

“Jude pays for dinner every time we go out,” I interrupted. “Including last night when you left without picking up the tab.”

He yanked his wallet from his back pocket. “I’ll reimburse him immediately.”

“It’s not about the money!” I shouted.

He startled and shoved his wallet back into his pocket.

“God, Pete. For the first time in my entire life, it’s not about the money. It doesn’t exist between us. I’ve tried, you know, to bring it up. I told Jude the other night how much I was worth. He didn’t even turn the TV down. He patted me on the leg, said, ‘Wow. That would buy you a lot of shoes,’ and then asked me to get him a beer.” My voice hitched. “I don’t know what it is that I do for Jude or why he loves me the way he does, but I know with an absolute certainty that money is not it.”

He swallowed hard, and his gaze softened in understanding.

“I never wanted that money, Pete. I wanted my dad back. I wanted my mom back. I wanted Apollo back. I wanted my family, and money couldn’t buy me that.” My voice cracked at the end.

Pete immediately wrapped me in his arms. “Okay. Okay. I’m sorry. No more talk about the money. I brought papers for you to sign in order to regain control of your father’s physical assets as you requested, but it can wait for another day.”

“No. I don’t want to wait.” I sniffled and stepped away. Then I squared my shoulders as I announced, “I want it all back.”

His head snapped to the side. “I’m sorry. What?”

“The entire estate,” I clarified.

He blinked rapidly and his mouth fell open. “Why on Earth would you want to get back into a situation like that? Surely you remember how stressed out that money made you. All the people knocking at your door, asking for a handout. And that’s not to mention Apollo. He’ll come after you again.”

I’d thought about all of this in great detail for years. It was what had kept me captive inside my apartment for entirely too long. But that was before Jude.

“I’m not scared anymore,” I whispered. “I’m ready, Pete. I’m gonna cut Apollo in for fifty percent. He is a horrible human being, but he lost Mom and Dad too. He’s out there alone the same way I’ve been for the last few years.”

“Rhion,” he scolded. “You were never alone.”

“For God’s sake, Pete, I was the definition of alone. My best friends are a team of bodyguards and a woman I’ve only met twice now. Maybe Apollo will find his Jude. Or maybe he’ll just find comfort in the fact that he finally wore me down. But, when I sign that check over, I’ll know that there is nothing else I can do for my brother. Then I’ll sleep easy knowing I tried.”

He actually stumbled back a step.

“And I want to pay Katie for the year she helped me, when everyone else, including you, took off.”

His back shot straight. “Pardon me? I did not take off.”

“Yeah, you did. Everyone did. Everyone but her. I know she has her own struggles, but she was there for me during mine. There is no price tag I can put on that. Margaret can go fuck herself. But I’m taking care of Katie.”

“What the hell is going on with you?” he bit out, shock etched on his face.

I slapped my hand down on the counter. “I’m done! I want my life back. I’m sick of hiding. I’m sick of pretending I’m someone I’m not.” I held my head high and announced, “I am Rhion Park. Heir to my father’s hard-earned estate. A woman who lost both of her parents entirely too young. A burn victim. A survivor. An author. A woman who is terrified of her brother. A beautifully flawed woman in love with a beautifully flawed man. I am not fiction, Pete. And, for the first time since Dad died, I’m okay with that.”

Tears spilled from my eyes, and my heart pounded in my chest. I hadn’t woken up that morning planning to take my father’s fortune back. Like most things in my life, it had just kind of happened. But it was by far the most liberating decision I’d ever made. I was no longer a supporting character in the story of my life. From that moment forward, I was taking control back.

Fearlessly.

Pete stared at me for several beats, his face unreadable. “Are you sure? And I mean really sure, Rhion? If this is about Jude—”

“I’m positive.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Well, okay. Go put on some shoes. I’ll call the attorney and have him draw up the reversal paperwork. I don’t necessarily agree with this decision, but if it’s what you want, I won’t stand in your way.”

Smiling huge, I nodded numerous times, unable to get any words out without bursting into another round of tears.

Pete warmly returned my smile. “Don’t just stand there, nonfiction Rhion Park. Go get dressed. I’ll call Jude and have him meet us at the car.”

I laughed and choked out, “We’re going to do it? Like, right now?”

His eyes wrinkled at the corners as he grinned and parroted, “Like, right now.”

I squealed, my heart practically in my throat, and launched myself into his arms.

He patted my back. “Okay. Hurry up now.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice.

I listened to him on the phone as I slipped on some heels and my coat.

First with the attorney, speaking in legal terms that I’m sure made sense to someone, just not me. Then with Jude, which much to my elation Pete sounded surprisingly kind as he filled him in on the details.

Moments later, Pete and I were on the elevator riding down to the garage.

I knew that that day was going to change my life.

When I returned home, I’d be doing it as a completely different woman.

But what I failed to consider was that I might not ever return at all.





“What did the attorney say?” I asked Pete as we stepped out of the elevator. I quickly glanced around for Jude but didn’t see him.

“He’s probably going to charge us triple for coming in on his day off.” He looked to me and grinned. “I told him that was fine now that you’re paying.” He winked.

I let out a courtesy chuckle, too preoccupied by the fact that Jude wasn’t there. I’d vowed to take my life back, but the familiar nerves grew in my belly. “Maybe we should go up to Guardian.”

Pete rubbed my back. “Calm down. He assured me he was on his way.”

A black town car with dark, tinted windows pulled up in front of us.

Pete motioned toward it. “Let’s get out of the cold.”

“I…I don’t know,” I stammered, my anxiety spiraling into a beast as I stared over my shoulder at the door to the stairwell.

I attempted a mental pep talk, consoling myself with thoughts that he’d be there any second.