if I let that shit happen when I could do something about it.”
“You think Trefor and company can’t handle it?” It was a rhetorical question. We both knew Trefor could.
“I think they’re not handling it. Big difference. And I want to know why, besides the obvious that operating on home turf always gives you the advantage and Trefor’s from Florida.”
“Maybe that’s the key.” The idea of home turf nagged at the inkling of suspicion that’d surfaced in the back of my mind when we’d been on the plane.
Luna frowned. “You think the threat is someone from her past?”
The inkling of suspicion grew, but I gave Luna a vague answer. “Could be.” It didn’t make sense, not after all these years, but there was someone who came to mind that could potentially be capable of this.
Luna glanced back at the monitors. “You want to call Trefor, or should I?”
“And say what?” Luna didn’t know my past, and I wasn’t going to tell him now, not if my suspicions about who it could be were unfounded.
“Depends.”
“On?”
Luna’s shrewd gaze cut to mine. “If you want in or not.”
I gave the simplest of answers that wouldn’t incriminate me. “I’m not stepping on the past.”
“I wouldn’t step on it either.” Luna leveled me with a look. “I’d fucking crush it.”
It was my turn to stare at the monitors.
Ten years.
I knew who I was back then, and I knew who I was now.
I regretted my actions, but the truth was I wouldn’t have done anything different, not given the same situation. And if she’d come to me before signing that contract, I would’ve talked her into another avenue, and she never would’ve become who she did. She was famous now because she didn’t listen to me.
I don’t know what would’ve happened if fate hadn’t intervened all those years ago, but in moments of weakness, I selfishly thought about it. Wondering how our lives would’ve been different if I hadn’t taken that video of her sitting on my back porch, the sunlight on her face and the guitar I’d bought her in her lap.
The memory came back like it was yesterday.
Humming to tune her guitar, she made a slight adjustment, strummed, then sang a low note.
I pulled my phone out and aimed. “You’re beautiful.”
Shielding the sun with her hand, she looked up. When she saw I was recording, she laughed. “Ronan Conlon, what are you doing?” Her accent lilting, her words meant to be scolding, she couldn’t hold the sentiment because her cheeks flushed and she smiled shyly.
I loved the way she smiled at me. “Play for me, Songbird.”
Waving her slender hand at me, she made a dismissive sound. “Put the phone down, you silly man.”
“No.”
Her laugh was short but bright. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re bossy?”
“Only you.” Only for her.
“I think you like telling me what to do,” she teased.
She had no idea. “I like taking care of you.” There was a difference. I would teach her. When she was ready.
Her smile faltered. “You’re leaving soon.”
Taking control before she became sad, I issued a quiet command. “Play, Sanaa.” I reached out and stroked her cheek. “We have plenty of time before I deploy. Sing for me.”
“I don’t want you recording me,” she protested, averting her eyes. “You know I’m shy.”
“Give me something to take with me.” I rubbed my thumb over her full bottom lip. “And never be shy with that sexy voice.”
“Silly man,” she whispered, heat flushing her cheeks darker as she dipped her face. “But all right.” She smiled wide. “Just for you.”
I stopped the recording, then started a new one.
The sun hitting her beautiful face, the guitar cradled in her lap, she strummed the strings with her graceful fingers. Then she sang the first lines of a seductive love song.
But I’d lied.
She was too beautiful, and I was too proud not to share.
Five minutes and forty seconds later, with a single press of my finger, I inadvertently changed the course of both our lives.
I uploaded the video.
The next morning it had over a hundred thousand views.
“You up for playing hero?” Luna asked, bringing me back to the present.
“I was never her hero.”
Luna slapped me on the shoulder. “Maybe it’s time to change that.” He grinned. “Let the best twin win.”
My jaw ticked, and I fought and failed to keep from fisting my hands. “This isn’t a competition.” It never had been, not in my eyes. Vance was another story.
Luna sobered. “Apologies.” Missing nothing, he glanced at my hands. “But the fact remains,