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“This is none of your business,” Kyle growls.
“It is, actually. You made it my business the second you started harassing Avery. We wanted to hunt you down and destroy your life as soon as we found out you were trying to mess with her again. The only thing that stopped us was Avery’s insistence that we do things by the book. So really, you have her to thank for being able to continue the lifestyle you currently enjoy.”
“I earned what I have.”
“No, you didn’t. I had some of my business contacts look into you. The only things you have going for you are nepotism and your father’s money. Everyone who got back to me told me the same story—you’re spoiled, selfish, and reckless. A lot of them also said you lost any vestige of competence as soon as you got divorced. You know what that tells me? It tells me that Avery was whispering in your ear and holding your hand through the entirety of your career. Any competence you had was hers.
“That woman over there single-handedly supported you in every way possible. Instead of treating her like the queen she is, you exploited and abused her. You held her hostage in her own house, isolated her from everyone who loved her, and tried to chip away every part of her because you’re an insecure child and couldn’t stand that she was better than you. The only reason your whole life didn’t crumble after she left was because your parents gave you a handout or smoothed over your path with their money. You had the ultimate treasure and threw it in the trash, and you don’t get to have a tantrum now because someone else realized her worth.”
“Are you finished yet, Grandpa? I’ve got better things to do than listen to your geriatric ass wheezing.”
Jamie tightens his hold slightly, and Kyle lets out a squeak that’s reminiscent of a stepped-on dog toy.
“I’m almost done, but not quite,” Jamie says darkly. “You see, the benefit of making it to my age is that I have a vast network of contacts and people who owe me favors. Now I know what Avery told you would happen if you don’t leave her alone, but I’m going to do you one better. If you so much as think about bothering her again, I will take over and dismantle every single company your family owns or associates with.
“You will be left with nothing and your family name will be ruined beyond repair. So are you going to be a good little boy and run along or am I going to have to make some calls to my acquisitions department?”
“I’m done dealing with this. None of you are worth my time,” Kyle grumbles.
“Good,” Jamie says, letting him go. “Now get the hell out of here.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him move so fast. His tires actually squeal as he blasts out of the parking lot.
The sheer amount of love and gratitude I have for my men feels like too much for my body to contain. I’m just about to launch myself at them when Wesley turns and I get a clear look at his face.
His eye is already starting to swell and turn a sickening color. His lip is split, and there’s dried blood under his nose.
“All of you upstairs, now,” I order.
“I’m fine, Avery,” Wesley protests. “I’ve had worse.”
I grit my teeth. “Upstairs. Now.”
I don’t know if it’s the tone of my voice or the look on my face, but they snap to attention and immediately comply.
As soon as my door is unlocked, I drag Wesley over to the couch and push him down on it.
“If you move, I’ll pour rubbing alcohol straight into your wounds,” I threaten.
That’s when I know he’s really hurt because he doesn’t even try to argue with me. I rush to the hall bathroom to grab the first aid kit and a wet washcloth before settling next to him on the couch.
He winces when I dab at his cuts but holds still and lets me tend to him. I clean up all his wounds and get him some ice for his eye, but I can’t seem to heal the worried look on his face.
“You’re scared of me now, aren’t you?”
“Why would I be scared of you?”
He hangs his head. “You saw me lose control.”
Very gently, I put a finger under his chin and tilt his face up so he’s looking at me.
“You protected me. I could never be afraid of you for that.”
“But I?—”
“Wesley, if that’s what you consider being out of control, I’m as safe as a kitten. Every opportunity you had, you backed off and gave him a chance to leave. It’s not your fault that he refused to take it. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and I don’t love you any less.”
I press a kiss to the unbruised side of his mouth. It’s not enough. I feel compelled to kiss every unbruised part of him. He has to know how much I love and appreciate him.
