Page 36 of Illusive
“I know greed. I trade in it. You don’t make someone jump through hoops to give you money when you’re greedy.”
Rising to her feet, the representative studied him. Then she slung her tote over her shoulder. “I’ll file notice of your intent to appeal our cancellation. You have thirty days to submit it.”
“I’m not asking for an appeal.”
Brow arched, Banning gave him a long look. “Look…let this entire conversation serve as a lesson in accepting help when it’s available, Mr. Cross. If you’re right, by the time your appeal is considered, your sister will be home. She’ll need all the support she can get, and our trauma services are unmatched.”
The pragmatic mention of the emotional and mental damage being inflicted on Ireland was chilling. Eva had spent the majority of her life in therapy working toward her own trauma recovery, and she knew that coming home would be only the beginning of a long, painful journey for her sister-in-law.
Eva pushed the chair back and stood. “Thank you for being willing to do whatever you can.”
“I wish I could do more. I’ll show myself out.”
When the door shut behind her, Eva turned and half-sat against the edge of the desk facing her husband. “It’s overwhelming.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “Don’t apologize for anything other than not sharing everything.”
Coming to her, Gideon gripped her waist. “That was quite a mouthful,” he murmured.
The mask of studied implacability was gone now, his features suddenly revealing more weariness in the deep grooves framing his mouth and the lines radiating from the corners of his wild blue eyes.
“Supporting you is my job,” she told him. “Finding out that we have kidnapping and ransom insurance, and that we’ve had reason to use it before, seems like something you should’ve atleast mentioned to me. I don’t like learning that you’re dealing with heavy, heavy shit on your own.”
“It sounds heavy,” he murmured, widening his stance to lessen the height difference between them. “But every large international company manages the same threats. It’s a known risk for many businesses, not just ours. And it’s a known risk for all high-net-worth individuals.”
“I find that very disturbing,” she admitted, adjusting his pocket square even though it was already perfectly placed.
“And prior to this, I’d become inured to it, so troubling you and having you worry about me because of common business practice served no purpose.”
She held his gaze. “You are way too good at spinning things into ‘don’t worry your pretty little head’ territory.”
One of his brows arched. “That’s insulting to both of us. Do I want to insulate you? Absolutely. But I’m not underestimating you or devaluing your input.”
“Really.”
“Eva, you sometimes wear yourself out caring deeply about everyone else’s well-being. It’s who you are and one of the many reasons I love you beyond reason, but it also means I have to consider whether the strain of knowing something is worth the toll it’ll take on you.”
“I’ve got the same concerns about you. More now than ever. You’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders, and I feel like all I can do is hold your hand.”
“That’s enough, angel. I’ll never be able to express just how much strength you give me.” Gideon tilted her chin up to study her face. “Do you think I made the wrong decision this morning?”
Eva sighed. “Up until you explained it to the insurance rep, I wasn’t sure. I only knew thatyouwere certain, and that’s alwaysbeen enough for me. If you’d had doubts, I’d like to think you would’ve talked them out with me first.”
His chest lifted and fell on a deep, slow breath. “I had something else in mind to say when I walked up to that podium. What came out instead was…instinct.”
“Oh, ace.” She wrapped her arms tightly around him. “I trust your instincts without question.”
He hugged her back too tightly. “I’m scared that they haven’t called back. And I’m so damn angry. I know my judgment’s compromised.”
“Stop. You’re not a man who second-guesses himself.” Pulling back, she kissed him. Once. Twice. Quick reassurances that she was there and her love was unwavering.
“I’m fallible, Eva. I just try not to let you see that.”
She smoothed his perfectly knotted tie. “Looking behind us isn’t helpful. We have to look ahead. Plan. Let’s figure out what we’re going to say when they call back.”
His eyes closed, and his head bowed. “Ireland has to come home.”
