thought of me as a little brother. I held your hair while you puked about ten times under that big willow tree.”
She held her breath for a moment. “You wanted me then?”
“I can’t think of a time when I haven’t wanted you.” He let his hands drop to his sides. “Except maybe now.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing her tears not to fall. “You know, you were stronger and more mature at fourteen than I am at twenty-four. You sat there soaking in all the pain and tears I shed that day. For hours. You never once left my side. I wasn’t strong enough to do that for you. I couldn’t take seeing you like that. I was too selfish and afraid.”
Hesitantly, Maddie rested a hand on his chest. “I’m sorry.”
He inhaled a deep, shuddering breath. “I know.”
Her insides clenched. “Can you forgive me?”
The minute that passed in silence was excruciating for her to bear. “I don’t know,” he said, finally. “That’s a lot to ask. It’s not only that you didn’t tell me she was alive, but you let it keep us apart for over a year. Being with me wasn’t worth telling me.”
“No,” she whispered, stroking his wet hair from his eyes, “you’re worth everything to me.”
MJ pushed her hand away. “Talan’s worth everything to you. You decided to marry him, remember? Would you keep a secret this big from him? Would you let it keep you apart?” He took a step closer and loomed over her. “And you had the nerve to blame me for your dad getting hurt. Even if it ends up being the Old Man’s fault, you could’ve avoided all of this by telling me the truth.”
Standing so close, Maddie could see the shadow of his jaw clenching and releasing before he pivoted and walked away from her.
Twenty-Five
The phrase when it rains, it pours described the past couple days perfectly, and it had nothing to do with the goddamn storm. Needing a few more minutes to calm down, MJ decided to walk around the hotel and go in through the patio gate.
He shook out his arms and rolled his shoulders. The thunder, lightning and rain pelting down on him was a welcome distraction. At least the woman in the woods was real and he hadn’t completely lost his mind.
Yet.
Jesus, he had a sister. But that knowledge didn’t excite him like it should. It was the way she made her grand entrance, the reason she came to them. If he was Merrick Junior, she was Enzo Junior, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to welcome a clone of his grandfather into his life. There were already too many people manipulating him in the name of his own good.
Fucking Maddie. How could she do this to him. The only person he ever trusted completely.
Talan could have her.
Thinking those words and believing them were two different beasts though, and MJ’s insides coiled at the idea of her walking down an aisle in a church wearing a white wedding dress if there was someone else waiting at the end.
He didn’t know how he’d get past this, but he knew there was no stopping his love for her. It was beyond his control. Always had been.
He rounded the corner and opened the gate. Inside the lounge, Heidi and Beck turned around, watching him approach from where the two of them sat on the sofa. Merrick placed his hands on the back of the couch behind his sister and leaned toward her. “I have two questions,” he said. “First, did you know my son was alive?”
She sucked her lips in and nodded, regret and a hint of fear crossing her face.
Merrick stiffened, took a deep breath and swallowed hard. “Did you know Gina Montgomery was alive?”
Her brows furrowed, and she frowned. “Yes,” she breathed.
Merrick’s hands squeezed into fists, and he closed his eyes. “Get out of my sight. I don’t want to see you right now.”
Heidi placed her hands over his. “Merrick, please. Dad did it for MJ. You were so young.”
“Please!” Merrick shouted. “Just go. I’ll find you later.”
Beck stood and held out a hand for Heidi. “Come on.” He gave Merrick’s shoulder a friendly punch before escorting Heidi out of the lounge.
MJ wondered where Roger had gone. The mole must be upstairs with Sam and Holly. MJ knew Roger was too close to Enzo, but he never would’ve guessed he was doing the Old Man’s dirty work.
Joan escorted MJ’s sister down the hallway toward them. She’d gotten her