THE NEXT MORNING Zoe went downstairs for breakfast and was surprised to find Byron, Rob, Grant and Travis already occupying the dining room table. She stopped short at the door. Four sets of eyes landed on her, but only one made her breath catch.
Byron immediately stood. His mouth opening to speak. Zoe didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.
“I’ll eat in the kitchen,” she said and turned to leave.
“Zoe, wait, you need to hear this, too.” Byron’s voice stopped her.
Byron looked too good for it to be so early after a long night at a campaign event. He was dressed casually in a lavender polo shirt and khaki-colored shorts. The soft material of the shirt clung to his shoulders and chest.
She shouldn’t be noticing the way he looked in a shirt. Damn sure shouldn’t be distracted by how good he looked. Except last night she’d dreamed about that last kiss they’d had before he’d told her of the secrets he’d kept from her.
“What is it?” As much as she wanted to walk out and not look back, she wasn’t going to refuse any information he was willing to give. Even if he was only humoring her at the moment. It was only a matter of time before he’d go back to withholding information.
“My poll numbers are up,” he said.
“Up is an understatement,” Roy said excitedly. “His numbers have skyrocketed. Ever since the video of Byron pulling Lilah and Wesley from the car went viral, people love him. He’s even getting attention outside the state.”
The urge to throw the plate of bacon and eggs she held along with her cup of coffee at Roy made her fingers grip the plate. “Good for you. Now everyone thinks you’re a hero.”
“I never asked to be a hero,” Byron replied.
“It doesn’t matter,” Grant cut in. “What matters is what people think. Right now Byron is a hero who saves children and his employees from burning vehicles.”
Byron scowled. “The car wasn’t burning. We aren’t exaggerating this story.”
“What does this have to do with me?” Zoe asked before Byron and his dad could start debating.
“We want to have a campaign rally at the local high school,” Roy explained.
Zoe lifted a shoulder and took a fortifying sip of her coffee. “Okay, I still don’t get it. You plan rallies all the time.”
“They want Lilah to attend,” Byron answered.
Zoe shook her head and took a step into the dining room. “No. The agreement was Lilah wouldn’t do campaign appearances after the first press conference.”
Byron opened his mouth to respond but Grant spoke up first. “That was back when we didn’t think her appearing would make a difference. This will make a difference.”
Roy nodded. “He’s right. If we put Lilah and Wesley on that stage with Byron, the public and the press will eat it up. It’s just like when the pictures of the three of you surfaced a few weeks ago—”
“When you intentionally released pictures of me and my daughter,” Zoe shot back.
“Semantics,” Roy continued. “You can’t deny the pictures had the desired effect. Doing this will get us major points going up to the election. We’re running out of time.”
Zoe glared at Byron. Hurt even more than she’d been before. “I can’t believe you’d add this on top of everything.”
She turned and stalked out of the room. Her eyes burned with tears she didn’t want to shed. As angry as she was about him keeping the information about her house and the emails a secret, a small part of her understood where he was coming from. Byron had always had that misguided hero complex. Trying to do right for other people, but often in the wrong way.
Footsteps chased her. Her heart jumped into her throat. She knew it was Byron before he hurried past her and blocked her retreat into the kitchen.
“What?” she snapped. She avoided eye contact and blinked rapidly to hide the tears.
“I said no,” Byron said. “Lilah isn’t coming to the press conference.”
“I guess you want a prize?” She didn’t care if it took seeing her upset for him to say no. He should have realized Lilah was off-limits still.
“No, I don’t want a prize. What I do want is for you to understand that I told them no before you came into the room. They were arguing against me. That’s why I said it involved you and we needed your opinion. I needed you to back me up.”
Zoe pressed her lips together. So what, was she supposed to thank him for doing what they’d agreed upon at the beginning? She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction, even though relief made her shoulders sag.
“I don’t want Lilah at campaign appearances. Especially now that we know what happened to my house.” Her eyes went wide. “How could they want that when they know about the threats?”
Byron shook his head. “They don’t know about the threats. Dominic worked on this under my direction. I never told the rest of the family about anyone looking for you.”
“No one knows? Not even your dad?” She would have expected Grant to be the first person Byron confided in.
“They don’t. They only know Carlton blackmailed me. I came to you the other day to tell you about the emails so we could come up with the plan for how we’d move forward. I didn’t want my family’s opinion on what to do, especially when it directly affects you and Lilah.”
Zoe pulled the cup of coffee closer to her chest. “Oh.” She didn’t have an immediate response to that. Nor did she want to acknowledge the satisfaction of knowing he’d come to her first. That he’d taken all of the heat for bringing her into his life without revealing all of the reasons he wanted to protect her.
Zoe frowned and walked past him. She would have expected he’d updated his dad or Roy on everything before coming to her. Byron kept pace with her as she went into the kitchen. Sandra and Jules glanced at them as they entered. Sandra’s eyes narrowed as she looked between Zoe and Byron.
She touched Jules’s shoulder. “Let me show you something in the garden. I believe Ms. Patricia mentioned wanting to grow mint.”
The two ladies went through the sunroom outside. Zoe put her plate and coffee mug on the island. Byron stood next to her.
“Dominic told me what you said yesterday,” he said.
“That I wanted to go home?”
“No, that you’ve been loved like this before. Zoe... I’m sorry.” Regret was a heavy weight in his voice.
Zoe kept her eyes on the plate. “For what? For keeping me in the dark?”
“For treating you as if you couldn’t handle knowing the truth. I should have known better. I do know better.”
Zoe glanced at him from the corner of her eye. His voice was mellow. His tone humble. It was the first time she’d ever heard Byron sound humbled.
“You’re amazing, smart and strong. You’ve taken care of Lilah without anyone’s help for thirteen years. You built a life for yourself with no one’s help. Instead of sulking about leaving Valtec, you’re helping Elaina and starting your own business. You were right. I’m too much like my dad. I think I’m protecting or helping when I’m not. I apologize. It won’t happen again.”
“I’m not going to break, Byron. I haven’t broken before.” She’d been down, and she’d been afraid, but she’d always fought to survive.
“I promise you I won’t make any decisions affecting you and Lilah without talking to you first.”
She turned to face him. “It’s not just about making decisions, Byron. It’s about trusting me. Thinking of me as being just as capable as you. Not thinking of me as a damsel in distress you need to save. I never should have run to you back then.” He’d thought she was capable before then. Respect, admiration and pride were the emotions typically reflected on Byron’s face when they’d worked together. The night she’d run to him she’d seen the pity in his eyes and knew he’d never look at her the same way again.
He slid closer. “I’m glad you did. Do you think I don’t realize how much you had to trust me to come to me when you needed help? I want you to trust me like that again.”
She read the rest of his wish in his eyes. He wanted her to love him. You’re scared and you’re angry and you think every guy is like my dad. Lilah’s words had haunted Zoe all the night before. She had looked for signs of Kendell in every man she met. Even Byron, who was the opposite of her ex. What would it feel like to trust someone completely? To relax and love without fear of manipulation?
“No more lies,” she said firmly. “No more secrets. Promise me.”
“I promise. No more secrets.”
His voice resonated with conviction. His gaze didn’t waver. His eyes begged for forgiveness. Zoe’s chest filled with emotion. With just a look he turned her insides into mush. She wanted to believe him. Even more, she wanted to trust the look in his eye. Wanted to trust her own response to him. Instinct tempted her to let go and love him, but fear held her back. She couldn’t trust her instincts. Not completely. Not so soon.
She nodded instead of speaking. With the feelings swirling around inside her she couldn’t be sure she wouldn’t blurt how much she wanted Byron to really be the happily-ever-after she’d never believed in. Byron eased even closer until the scent of his cologne wrapped around her like a comforting hug. Her body leaned into his. Her midsection tightened and she sucked in shallow breaths.
“Zoe.” Byron whispered her name like a prayer. “I lo—”
Zoe lifted on her toes and kissed him softly. She didn’t want to hear declarations she couldn’t return. Didn’t want to think about a tomorrow that wasn’t promised. She still needed a plan. She still didn’t want to sign up for the role of senator’s perfect partner. Byron would love her and treat her like a queen, but the demands he’d place on her because of his position were another thing entirely. She’d been under the influence of one man; she wouldn’t do that again.
Byron’s hand gripped her waist. His head tilted at an angle and he pushed forward to deepen the kiss. Zoe pulled back before he could. If he kissed her the way she wanted him to she’d be lost. She couldn’t afford to be lost. Not right now. No matter how much her body ached for him or her sex screamed for his touch.
“Thank you,” she said. “For not giving in on Lilah, and for understanding where I’m coming from.”
With effort she didn’t know she had she pulled out of Byron’s embrace. “I need to get to work.” She cleared her throat. The hunger and acceptance in his eyes one of the biggest aphrodisiacs in existence. “We’ll talk more later.”
He licked his lips, maybe to get a lingering taste of her. The idea made her insides flip. “Later.” He nodded.
Zoe took a deep breath and walked out of the kitchen. She hurried down the hall and back up the stairs to her room. A part of her yearned for Byron to follow her. She knew she wouldn’t be able to pull away from him if he did. Another part of her was grateful he didn’t. Byron’s love would comfort and overwhelm her until once again she was following his lead and not noticing how much she’d lost of herself until it was too late.
“FOR THE LAST time, we are not inviting Lilah to the rally,” Byron said to his father.
They were in the upstairs family room getting ready to leave for the rally at the high school. Grant had been on Byron’s ass ever since he’d told him no. Not only did Byron agree with Zoe about keeping Lilah away from public events, but until they verified who was behind the emails and Zoe’s house fire he didn’t want to broadcast her whereabouts.
“Why not?” Lilah’s indignant voice came from the door.
Both Byron and Grant swerved around toward her. Grant’s eyes gleamed with potential. Byron’s stomach sank.
Byron spoke quickly before Grant could pounce. “It’s going to be a lot of people there. Your mom and I both agreed not to draw a lot of public attention your way. We wouldn’t be able to control the photos taken of you.”
“But if you let her come,” Grant countered, “she could talk about how you rescued her from the car. It’ll help you win the election.”
Grant’s words hit the target. Lilah’s eyes lit up. “I want to help you.”
Byron shook his head. “Lilah, no. You’re staying here and that’s that.”
Lilah’s eyes narrowed and she put her hands on her hips. She looked like a miniature Zoe ready for battle. “This is because of my mom, isn’t it? She doesn’t like you doing things for me, so she doesn’t want me to go.”
“We both agreed on this,” Byron said.
“Only because she’s scared. She thinks my dad is going to show up and try to hurt her again. Tell her it’s not true. You said it yourself the emails had stopped. Once she understands it was just a prank and that my dad isn’t going to come back, she’ll ease up.”
Lilah’s words knocked the air from Byron’s lungs. You left us unprotected. He should have told Zoe the truth. If he had then Lilah would understand why they wanted her away from large crowds and out of the public eye. He had created a false sense of security.
“It’s not that easy, Lilah,” he said. He’d talk to Zoe and find out when she wanted to reveal the truth to Lilah. Dominic was getting close to finding out the person behind the emails, which would hopefully get them closer to the person who’d set the fire.
“It is that easy,” Lilah said, stomping a foot. “I’m not a little kid. I want to help you win.”
“Not like this,” he argued.
Grant crossed the room and placed a hand on Lilah’s shoulders. “She’s making a good point, Byron. The people at the rally want to see her and Wesley.”
“Wesley is going?” Lilah looked up at Grant. “So this rally is about you rescuing us?”
Byron pointed at Lilah. “I didn’t rescue you.” He pointed at Grant. “And will you stop twisting things around?”
Byron glared at his father. He hoped his dad understood the silent warning. Don’t use her in our fight. Grant raised his hand and went over to the wet bar. Rile everyone up then retreat and let the dust settle. That was the Grant Robidoux way.
Byron turned back to Lilah. Dealing with her was easier. “You’re not going. End of discussion. You’re going to stay here and watch the rally on television. When it’s over, me and your mom will come and talk about how we’ll move forward. Okay?”
Lilah rolled her eyes before turning and stomping out of the room. What the hell? Byron gaped at the empty doorway. Stunned by his first display of teenage anger from Lilah.
“Let her go,” Grant said. “She reminds me of Elaina. Probably shouldn’t let her hang out with her auntie so much. Give her a little bit of time and she’ll cool off.”
Byron crossed the room to his dad. “You shouldn’t have tried to manipulate her like that. She doesn’t need to come.”
“I don’t see why not. You have her standing next to you looking up with the hero worship that shines from her eyes and I guarantee you’ll win the election.”
“It’s about more than winning right now,” Byron said through clenched teeth.
Grant set his highball glass down with a thud. “Excuse me? What is more important than winning? We’ve been involved in state politics for years. Now we have a good chance of influencing national politics, and you want to hold back because of some foolish feelings you have to Lilah’s mother.”
Byron rubbed at the headache starting in his forehead. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Then you better start talking,” Grant said.
Zoe walked into the room then. She pointed over her shoulder. “What’s wrong with Lilah? She’s been giving me the cold shoulder for the last few days, but that anger wasn’t directed at me.”
Byron momentarily forgot what he was thinking about. Zoe looked beautiful in a forest green short-sleeved suit. The pants fit her long legs and full curves perfectly. Her thick hair was free from the braids and twists she typically wore and framed her face like a curly cloud.
“She’s mad at Byron,” Grant answered.
Zoe’s eyebrow lifted. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
Until that moment Byron hadn’t, either. “I told her she couldn’t go to the rally.”
Zoe frowned and came farther into the room. “She knows she can’t go.”
Byron glared at his father. “Someone gave her the idea that if she went, she’d be helping me win.”
Zoe sucked in a breath. “No. Why would you tell her that? She might do something rash.”
Grant waved them off. “Will you two quit acting like that girl is a baby? She’s thirteen and knows better than to get in a car with strangers. She’ll be fine.”
Zoe marched over to Grant. Anger flashed bright in her eyes. “Not when there is someone out there threatening her life and mine.”
Grant laughed. “You’re almost as dramatic as him.”
Byron stared at his father. “She’s not being dramatic.”
Grant’s dark eyes jumped to Zoe then back to Byron. The smile slowly fell from his face. “What are you talking about?”
Byron looked at Zoe. How much they revealed to his father was up to her. Zoe took a deep breath. “Tell him.”
“Tell me what?” Grant asked.
“Someone has been sending threatening emails to Zoe,” Byron said. “They said she’s going to pay for the lies she told. We also think they’re behind her house fire. Possibly even my car accident.”
Grant’s eyes widened. “Someone tried to kill you?” His tone was measured but rage threaded through his voice. His hands balled into fists on the bar.
“We don’t know if the accident is related,” Byron said. “But Dominic found evidence that someone tampered with the video just before Zoe’s house caught fire. Her neighbor thought she saw someone at Zoe’s place. It doesn’t make sense that an electrical fire would start the way it did unless there was tampering.”
Grant’s face hardened. His sharp gaze snapped to Zoe. “Is it your ex?”
Zoe raised her shoulders. “We don’t know. He’s not supposed to be released for another month.”
Grant pushed away from the bar. He paced to the window and back. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Grant snapped.
“Because it wasn’t for you,” Byron said. “I wanted to be sure.”
“He only just told me,” Zoe said. She didn’t sound angry anymore, but Byron heard the exasperation in her voice.
“What is the plan?” Grant asked.
Byron answered. “Increased security. We’ve already started that. Along with surveillance. Dominic thinks he’ll have the person behind the emails within the week. If we can prove it’s Kendell or someone related to him, then we’ll go from there.”
“What will you do?” Grant asked.
“Go to the police,” Zoe answered.
Byron and Grant met each other’s gazes. Byron saw the same calculation in his dad’s eyes that went through his head. “There’s no guarantee the police will do anything,” Byron said.
“Then what are we supposed to do?” Zoe asked incredulously. “Ask him nicely to stop?”
Byron’s shoulders stiffened. “I won’t ask nicely.”
Her lips parted and she leaned back. He meant it. He would do whatever he needed to make sure Kendell, and anyone related to him, understood Zoe and Lilah were off-limits. He’d tried to stay on the right side of the law all his life, but he wasn’t naive. He knew Dominic and his father had other means of dealing with bad situations. Byron wouldn’t blink an eye about blurring the line between right and wrong to keep her safe.
Before she could reply Elaina, India and Travis walked in. Roy followed behind them. Roy took in the family and rubbed his hands together. The excitement of another campaign event adding an extra bounce to his step.
“All right, are we ready to go rack up some votes?” Roy asked in his cheery voice.
Grant walked over to Byron and placed a hand on his shoulder. Byron met his father’s gaze. Grant squeezed and nodded. “We look out for family.” Grant looked at Zoe. “Since the start of this we agreed you’re family. We’ll work this out.”
He let Byron go and faced Roy. “Let’s do this. I’ll go down and tell Sandra to keep an extra close eye on Lilah while we’re gone.”
Zoe’s eyes were still wide. She moved to Byron. “Byron—”
He looked past her at the rest of the family. “Let’s get out of here before we’re late.”
Uneasy looks passed between his siblings and best friend, but they didn’t question the tension in the room. They turned and followed Grant out. Byron moved to go with them.
Zoe placed her hand on his arm to stop him. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid because of this.”
Byron covered her hand with his. “I promise you I will do what I have to if it means protecting you and Lilah.”
“Not if it means risking your integrity,” she said. “Byron, you’ve always fought to do things the right way. You’re better than him.”
Byron brushed his hand across her cheek. “Some things are worth fighting for. Even if it means fighting dirty.”
Because he couldn’t help himself, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. He wanted desperately to pull her body close to his. Kiss her deeply. Tell her he loved her. Zoe sighed softly. Her full lips parting slightly against his.
They hadn’t slept together since he’d told her about the emails. He wasn’t sure where they stood with each other. What would happen after the campaign and if she still wanted the relationship they’d tentatively started. He had a sinking feeling Zoe didn’t plan to be with him after the election. He’d lost her when he’d lied to her. The least he could do is make sure wherever she ended up after she walked out of his life again that she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder and worry about Kendell again.
He pulled back instead of kissing her deeply. The confusion in her dark eyes wasn’t something he could clear up. He couldn’t make her love him. She’d have to decide that for herself. “Let’s go,” he said before stepping away and walking to the door.