Fight Like You've Never Lost (Summer Lake #14) - S.J. McCoy Page 0,96

It had worked. He’d grabbed her afterward and taken her with him—to the warehouse. Ryan and Carlton—whoever he was—had followed. They’d had the warehouse under surveillance for the rest of the weekend, and by Sunday night Chang and a bunch of his people had been taken into custody.

She sat back and blew out a sigh, wondering what the other documents might hold—what else she needed to know. She wasn’t sure that she needed anything. Other than a time machine to go back and listen to him. To not throw away seven years of their lives.

She couldn’t claim he hadn’t tried to explain. He had—for months. But she hadn’t wanted to know. She didn’t know if it was because she was older now—wiser, like he’d said he was the other day. But what had happened, what she’d seen, what she’d believed he’d done, it all seemed so unimportant compared the fact that they’d lost seven years that they could have been together. She started to get to her feet. She wanted to go to him and tell him how sorry she was. But she sat back down.

He’d wanted her to see all of this. So, she would. She clicked on one of the videos, wondering what it might show her. The file was named Janelle and Riley. She didn’t remember the name Riley from the report, but he must be another member of the team. She hit play.

Her heart clenched in her chest when she recognized the woman she’d seen dancing with him that night. She was pretty, her dark hair was cut shorter than Leanne remembered. She’d guess the video wasn’t part of the official file. Janelle was sitting on a beach, wearing shorts and a bikini top.

She raised her glass to the camera with a smile. “Hey, Ryan. Happy Birthday!”

Leanne frowned. Why would he want her to see this?

“I can’t believe it’s been three years. Sorry we won’t be there for your birthday again. But I couldn’t let the day go by without sending big birthday kisses to the only man I’ve ever kissed.”

Leanne gripped the arm of the chair. What was this?

Another woman appeared in the frame and sat down next to Janelle. She was trying to look stern and pointed at the camera. “I’m still going to kick your ass when I see you again, Brady. Just because you both swore to me that you kept your mouths closed and still hated it …” She burst out laughing. “Just kidding. Happy birthday, bud. But if you think you can ever kiss my wife again …”

Janelle waved her hand in front of the camera, showing off a wedding ring. “She’s not kidding, Ryan. We got married! You’re looking at Mrs. and Mrs. Riley and Janelle Jameson!”

Leanne’s hand came up to cover her mouth as fresh tears ran down her face.

“That’s right, big guy.” Riley smiled at the camera. “You should learn from Janelle. Get out, get married, get a life while you still can. But I know you probably won’t. So, next time we’re back in the States, we’ll come visit.”

“We will,” added Janelle. “But for now, have yourself a wonderful birthday. We love you! Bye!”

The screen went blank and Leanne sat there staring at it. Her heart ached. She hadn’t believed right up until she’d sat down here at his desk, that there was any way he would ever be able to convince her. She knew what she’d seen. She still did. But now she understood.

She rested her elbows on the desk and put her face in her hands and cried.

“Lee?” He came in and pulled her to her feet. “What …?” He looked scared.

She flung herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so sorry!”

A fresh wave of sobs came when he closed his arms around her, and she melted against him. He’d been right. Here in his arms was the only place she’d ever belonged. And she’d screwed it all up.

He tucked his fingers under her chin and made her look up at him. “I’m sorry, Lee. I knew before I even got home that night that you’d hate it if you ever knew about it.”

“You did nothing wrong, though. I understand that now.”

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter anymore. All that matters is now. Now and … what comes next. Where we go from here.”

She looked up into his eyes. “Where do you want to go?”

“Nowhere.”

Her heart slammed to a halt and she started to pull away from him. Was this some