Page 6 of Taking What's Ours
“That’s for you to decide, but if you break things off with him, how could you work for the man? I’m sure he’d take his revenge out on you, probably fire you, or at the very least move you to another position, replace you with some other girl and then hit on her in front of you. He’ll make things unbearable. My brother has no limit when it comes to the lengths he’ll go for revenge.” I drain my glass and watch my words sink in.
Elaina stares at the city lights, sadness in her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She shakes her head. “You’re right. If I break things off with him, I’m out of a job.”
“Do not let that stop you. You hear me?”
She huffs a little laugh. “Easy for you to say, but I’ve just given up my apartment. If I break it off with him, I’ll lose my job and my home in one fell swoop.”
“And you’ll bounce back. But going through with this sham of a marriage will destroy you.”
“Maybe… or maybe I’m overreacting.”
“Look at me.” I take her hand, and she swings her gaze to me. “He’s not worth it, Elaina. He’s not.” I search her worried eyes. “Can you go home to your parents?”
“That’s not an option.” She shakes her head, and I’m sure there’s a story there, but she’s not sharing.
“Okay. Then you can come to Durango with me. I’ve got plenty of room. There’s a guest room with a private bathroom. You can relax and think things through with no outside pressure. A few days in the mountains might do you good.”
“You’re sweet to offer, but I couldn’t do that.”
“Why not?”
She shakes her head again.
“It’s a few days out of a lifetime. Surely, you deserve that much time. This is a big decision. You need to give yourself time to think about everything I’ve told you.”
“So, leave my wedding reception?”
“Yup.”
“And go off with my groom’s brother?”
“Who better to look out for you? I swear to God, you’ll be safe with me.”
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. “I don’t know. It’s a lot.”
“It is. But that’s all on Elliott. If he has to go in there and explain, too bad. He brought this on himself.”
“I wonder what he’s saying to people.”
“Probably telling everyone you’re being unreasonable.” Her face flushes. “I’m sorry, but it’s the way he is. Nothing is ever his fault. Ever.”
She stares at the tablecloth, her fingertip circling the rim of her martini glass.
“You don’t want him for the father of your children, Elaina. If you can’t do this for you, do it for them.”
“The children I don’t have? The children I mayneverhave? I’m in my mid-thirties, Dylan. The window is closing.”
“That’s not a reason to go through with this, sweetheart. Please listen to what I’m telling you. There’s got to be another guy out there for you—a good man who deserves a woman like you.”
She’s quiet for a long moment.
“We can head to Durango first thing in the morning. You can leave my dipshit brother a note.”
“I have to get my dog.”