Page 147 of When We Were Young

Holden has his hands in his pockets and leans back on his heels.

“I made a better one.”

I can’t pull my eyes away from his. He did this? “You bought the properties?”

“I did.”

“So, you own them? Not Landon?”

“I do. Well, we do. I plan to put your name on the deed when you’re my wife, but for now, I had Harrison set it up so if anything happens to me, you inherit it.”

My mouth falls open. “You did this for me?”

He nods, and his eyes pierce mine. “I’d do anything for you. Anything. I want to take care of you and Simon. Not because you can’t take care of yourself. I know you can. But you shouldn’t always have to.”

I fly into his arms and wrap myself around him as best as I can, but I can’t get close enough. His strong arms circle me, and I feel so many emotions all at once.

“Thank you. Thank you so much,” I whisper.

His hand cups the back of my head, and he strokes my hair.

“You deserve to feel safe and secure, and this is part of how I plan to make sure you do.”

As I process his words, something strikes me. I loosen my hold on him so I can see his face.

“Part?” I whisper. “You said ‘part.’ Is there more?”

Holden closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, then opens them again. “Any chance you’d forget I said that?”

I shake my head.

“I didn’t think so.” He hesitates for a few seconds before speaking again.

“This is the part that keeps him from touching your business. Tomorrow, I take care of the rest.”

Chapter Forty-Nine

Holden

“You really should be more aware of your surroundings.”

Landon Carter spins to face me.

“Jesus! What the fuck?”

I want to rise from the corner chair where I’ve been sitting, waiting for him for the last half hour, watching as he walked into his office and sat at his desk, all without noticing me. But I know if I do, this will immediately become about beating his ass for everything he did to Lizette.

And this can’t become about that. I have to play it smart and end this for her and Simon.

“H-how did you get in here?” His voice is higher-pitched than usual. Good.

“Don’t worry about how I got in here. Just know that I can.”

“Uh, okay. I’ll just call security to get rid of you, Aron. God knows it took hardly any effort to make you disappear from Lizette’s life the first time.”

Don’t react.

He reaches to pick up the phone.