“You do deserve all of that, Sophie,” he rasped, the fierceness in his voice widening her eyes, leaving her shaken. “All of it and more. I—” He took that step toward her that he’d hesitated over moments ago. “I am that man who loves and trusts you. I’d never ask you to be less so I can be secure, because the greater you are, the happier you are, the more successful you are, the better I am as a man. The man who loves and supports you. Compromise? If you compromised who you are, I would never know the joy of having all of you, just as you are. Brilliant, strong, determined, driven, beautiful. Sweetheart—” he tunneled a hand through his hair, disheveling the short, dark blond strands “—you’ve shown me that I don’t have to bear my father’s burdens any longer. You’ve taught me that I’m not forgotten, that I am so much more than I ever believed possible. I thought what happened with my father fifteen years ago was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. But if it hadn’t occurred, you wouldn’t have written an article on it. You wouldn’t have come crashing into my life. And, sweetheart, all the pain, all the fear, all the loss—I’d go through it all again in a heartbeat if it meant meeting you, touching you...loving you.” He closed the distance between them and cradled her cheek. “If that box means you’re leaving your job, please don’t do it. That’s a compromise you should never make.”
Tears stung her eyes, and she choked on the hope that insisted on rising in her chest. She’d called him a coward yesterday, but now it was her who was terrified. Of being crushed again. Because unlike Laurence, he could destroy her, and though she would find a way to cobble herself together again, she wouldn’t be whole.
No, she couldn’t.
Not again.
As much as she loved him, she just...couldn’t.
“Joshua, I’m sorry. I can’t. I love you—I probably always will—but I’m not that strong. I...can’t.”
She couldn’t contain her sob as she cupped his hand and turned her face into it. Kissed it.
Then fled into her apartment building.
Twelve
Joshua stood near the bank of elevators, the animated and excited hum of chatter from Black Crescent’s lobby reaching him. Beyond the wall he stood behind congregated reporters and cameramen from the tristate area. All hungry and anticipating the announcement that Joshua had promised to deliver. Anything concerning Black Crescent Hedge Fund would’ve stirred their interest, but on a Saturday morning, coming from Joshua himself, who never did press conferences, they would’ve jumped on this tidbit. Just as he’d hoped.
The media expected a business-related statement. And they would receive that.
But so much more.
Joshua’s future rode on this press conference.
“Ready, Josh?” Haley asked, laying a hand on his upper arm. Concern and just a bit of sadness darkened her hazel eyes. “Are you sure about this?”
He nodded. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.” He covered her hand with his and clasped it. “And just in case I’ve never said so before, thank you for everything you’ve been to this company and to me. Those first few years, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to make it without you.”
Tears glistened in her eyes, but, Haley being Haley, she tipped her chin up and cleared her throat. “You’re right. You wouldn’t have,” she drawled.
He chuckled and, giving her hand one last squeeze, moved forward into the throng of media.
At his appearance, the noise reached a fever pitch as questions were lobbed at him from overeager journalists. But he ignored them as he stepped to the podium and microphone, scanning the crowded lobby for one person...
There.
Sophie stood in the middle, lovely and composed.
Relief barreled into him. He’d been afraid she wouldn’t show up—had even placed a call to Althea to request Sophie’s presence. But that hadn’t guaranteed she would’ve agreed. Seeing her here, though, the anxiety that he’d fought off all morning kicked in the door of his calm. This was the most important moment of his life. Hell, he was fighting for his life—his future.
I love you—I probably always will—but I’m not that strong.
Her words, so final but so weary, echoed in his head. The resolve in her voice had set his heart pounding, terrified he’d lost her. But hope, his love for her and, yes, desperation refused to let him give up. He would go to war for her. He just had to hold on to her declaration of love. And his belief that she was stronger than both of them put together.
“Thank you for coming here today on such short notice,” he said into the mic. Immediately, the voices hushed, but the excitement and tension crackled in the air. “I’m going to share my announcement and will take only a few questions at the end.”
He inhaled, his eyes once more finding and locking onto Sophie. Her silver gaze met his, and he found the strength to continue there.
“Fifteen years ago, I took the helm of Black Crescent Hedge Fund after
