Sins, Lies & Spies (Black Brothers #2)(66)

“We’re going to tell the truth. We don’t have anything to hide.” He managed a faint smile. “And, thanks to you, we have the video to support our story.”

“Yes, we do,” I said softly, my muscles unknotting a tiny bit. I wrapped my arms around his neck, tears burning the corners of my eyes. His arms circled my waist, and he rocked me back and forth. Just being in his arms quieted my fears. I trusted him to guide me through this because nothing seemed insurmountable with him by my side. “I love you. I should’ve told you earlier, but I was too afraid that you’d reject me. Then I acted like a jerk the other night and I’ll understand if you’re done with me. I don’t expect you to say anything back or profess your undying love. I just wanted—”

“Shut up, Jones.” He pressed two fingers to my lips and shook his head. “If I didn’t love you, I would’ve dumped you weeks ago. I was just waiting for the right time to tell you.”

I leaned back, smirking. “Is that your way of telling me you love me and you can’t live without me?”

“Yes. I guess it was,” he said with a playful grin.

“Well, I would’ve hoped for a more romantic setting, but I’ll give you a pass given the circumstances.” I cocked my head toward Darcey Benton. “We should do something about her.”

“Yeah, we should.” His eyes met mine for an endless moment. “But first I want to hold you for a while and make sure you’re okay.”

I nodded because there was no need for words. I was alive, and Knox loved me. After decades of living in the shadows of the Benton family’s sins and lies, being with him was all that mattered.





EPILOGUE




Knox



Two months later…

I pulled through the gates of Archer’s home in L.A. and cut the engine. The full moon peeked through the swaying palm trees lining the front walkway to the large white Mediterranean home with its rust-colored barrel tiled roof. Iron lanterns strategically placed next to the arched front door winked at us in invitation.

I glanced at Trinity in the passenger seat next to me, and a feeling of ease and overwhelming happiness swept through me, as if all of the wrongs fate had committed against my brother and me had finally been righted. Archer found the love of his life in Langley and mine was sitting right next to me.

After his mother’s death, Derrick Benton quickly and quietly settled all matters pertaining to Trinity’s share of the Benton Family Trust. In exchange, Trinity agreed not to contest Derrick’s public statement that his mother had a heart attack.

Since the night Darcey Benton showed up at Trinity’s house, she had refused to have any contact with her half-brother. Instead, she funneled all conversations through her attorney. I didn’t know how long her determination to stay away from him would continue. Now that he had renounced his bid for reelection, he had plenty of time on his hands, and he made weekly attempts to heal the divide. I didn’t want him in our lives, but it was Trinity’s choice, and I’d support her either way.

Miles Knightly turned himself in to the FBI a month and a half ago. In exchange for immunity, he agreed to help prosecutors mount a case against Dima Antonov for the blackmail scheme involving Lang and Benton. Miles collapsed and died in his home two weeks ago. The police were still struggling to establish the cause of his death, but the FBI suspected Antonov had something to do with it.

“Are you ready to go inside?” I asked.

She twirled the diamond solitaire on her finger. “As ready as ever.”

I tapped her ring. “How long before one of them notices the ring?

I proposed to Trinity last week. I’d spent my entire life avoiding commitment, but it didn’t take me long to realize I wanted to spend my life with her. When she agreed to marry me, I asked her if she had a date in mind. She said as soon as possible. We were married the next day.

She smiled, holding out her hand. The diamond shot rainbows of light across the dashboard. “Langley will notice within five minutes.”

“You’re probably right. After we go in, there’s no turning back. You’ll be stuck with me forever.”

“I already thought I was.”

“I like the way you think.”

I brushed my lips across hers, then bit her lower lip teasingly. When she opened her mouth to mine, I couldn’t stop myself. I pulled her across the console and slipped my hands underneath her short black skirt. I closed my eyes as her lips explored a path down my neck.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

“Are you guys coming inside or what?” Archer said, smirking.

I rolled down the window. “Go away. Can’t you see we’re busy?”

“Yeah, well, I don’t care. You can continue this later. You’re already an hour late and Gunnar has been here for at least thirty minutes.” Archer shook his head. “I need you to run interference.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Give me another minute,” I said, sliding Trinity off my lap.

Trinity pushed her long dark hair behind her ears. “Who’s Gunnar?”

I watched Archer make his way back inside his house. “My other brother.”

Her brows scrunched together. “Wait. You never told me about another brother. What’s wrong with him?”