your loss. But you also managed to cost me a friendship too, and I hope Lucian never forgives you, because I can be selfish too. I think you’re nothing more than dressed-up scum. And those people you
pretend to help at the shelter, but turn your snide nose up at, they have more right to the graces of this world than you’ll ever deserve. I don’t know what you want from Lucian, but leave him alone. He
doesn’t need friends better suited as enemies in his life.”
She turned and he said, “Scout.”
She stilled but wouldn’t face him. She’d said what she needed to say, and now adrenaline was
causing sweat to gather under the silk of her gloves.
“You don’t understand,” he whispered. “I never meant to hurt you.”
The audacity. She pivoted, the motion charged with outrage. “You must think I’m stupid. You’re
sole intention was to hurt me. You humiliated me, exposed me, and manipulated me, every chance you got—”
“Only because you had what I wanted.”
“What? His time? His ear? I never tried to take advantage of him or what he could offer, but you
dove at the chance to make it seem that way, thinking I would trade him in for some other man with
money if the benefits were in my favor. Unlike everyone else in this world, I’d take him with nothing
at all. I love him. The rest is just fluff.”
He nodded, and she didn’t understand the tired expression on his face. “I’m glad you feel that way.”
His tone and expression didn’t ring true with his words. “Too many people see the money and prestige
before the man.”
“And you don’t?” she asked indignantly. Slade’s professional life was no doubt suffering since
Lucian had cut him off.
“No,” he rasped. “I never did.” The quiet confession sounded raw on his lips, as if it had to travel
from somewhere deep in his soul.
Her face slackened as her lips parted. Suddenly she saw something she doubted anyone else saw in
this man, not even Lucian, not even Jamie. She’d met a myriad of people in her life, and where she
was from, most hid their vulnerabilities as carefully as they hid food, money, or drugs. But she always had a gift for seeing what others missed. That’s why they called her Scout.
“Oh my God,” she breathed. It was all suddenly so clear. “This has nothing to do with your grief
over Monique or your hatred for me. It’s him.”
He cleared his throat and looked away. He didn’t deny the accusation.
Her lips parted as her heart beat against her ribs like a caged bird. “You’re in love with him.”
Sharp blue eyes sliced into her, and she knew her statement to be true as a slight flush showed under
his collar.
“She was just a convenient cover for you, and when you lost her you lost him.” Lucian never
showed any signs of being interested in men. But Slade must have hoped.
“I cared for Monique very much,” he argued unconvincingly.
“But not as much as you cared for him.”
As he swallowed, his Adam’s apple made a slow journey up and down, traversing the long line of
his throat. “He doesn’t know,” he rasped.
Yes, she believed he didn’t. Tilting her head, she quietly said, “You could have told him. He loved
you like a brother. You could’ve told him and saved your friendship.”
He nodded sadly. “But I didn’t, and that will be my regret to live with for the rest of my life.”
How did two men entertain a relationship with one woman for years and not know one of them was
bisexual? “Is it just Lucian or have there been other men?” She shook her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t
have asked that. It’s none of my business.”
His shoulders lifted and he let out an audible breath. “None of it matters now.”
How had she gone from hating this man to suddenly pitying him in the span of a minute? Perhaps it
was because she knew what it was to love Lucian Patras and not have him.
“You played a part in taking him from me,” she said fiercely. “I know what it is to love him and not
have him. I actually can sympathize with you. Maybe that makes me an idiot. But I’m not some
prattling little girl you and so many people think I am. So let me make this clear. I’m sorry you will
never have the person you love, but he’s mine. I won’t share him and I won’t take kindly to anyone who tries to take him from me, ever again.”
He nodded. “For the record, if I thought you were just some ditsy piece I never would’ve felt
threatened by you, Scout. You’re strong. You have scruples. And you tell it like it is. I saw it in you the first time I met you, and that’s why I panicked. You’re everything he needs, deserves, and wants.”
She didn’t like getting compliments from people she didn’t trust. They were usually backhanded