Page 101 of Mr. Wilde

“Thank you. I’m holding you to that.”

He leans down, pressing a lingering, gentle kiss to my forehead, as if sealing his promise. “Sleep well, baby. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

I stand on the porch and watch as he walks back to the SUV, his stride more confident than it was when he arrived. He waits until I’m safely inside, the heavy front door clicking shut, before he finally pulls away.

I lean my back against the door, my heart full and my mind finally, mercifully quiet. I look down at my hands. They’re not trembling anymore. For the first time in years, I’m not worried about my past. And I’m definitely looking forward to tomorrow.

40

CASSIDY

It’s back!

I sit at the small bistro table in my new kitchen, the morning sun catching the vibrant pink of my hair reflected in my coffee mug. It’s a color that used to feel like a disguise, but now, simply feels like me.

Max said he wanted me to be pink. That he’d even leave the morally gray behind to be pink with me. The memory makes me let out a soft laugh.

I’ve never been happier. That’s the terrifying part. My life with Max is a blur of late-night tech talk, shared quiet moments, and a devotion that feels so steady it’s almost implausible.

He’s worked so hard to prove he can overcome his demons to build a healthy life with me. But as I stare at the glowing COMPLETED status on my final online certification, the reality of my world starts to bleed into his.

I’m a sworn officer of the law. I’ve officially finished my courses and can apply to any number of high-profile agencies. It’s the career I’ve dreamed of since I was a girl. One I was worried was lost forever after that awful day. I’ve fought hard to reclaim my dreams after everything was stripped from me. And I’m even more proud of this achievement than living on my own again.

I’d managed to graduate from the police academy and was doing mandatory field training in the jail when the attack occurred. I have no interest in ever returning to that environment. But honestly, my love of digital forensics has opened a host of law enforcement career opportunities I never imagined before. One that lights my soul on fire.

But the situation with Max hasn’t changed. He’s still operating in the shadows. I know his heart is in the right place, but the law doesn’t care about Robin Hood justice.

How do I knowingly work for an agency sworn to uphold the law when my partner is potentially committing crimes? How do I arrest others for the very things he does? It’s a line I’m toeing, and it’s getting thinner every day. Once I accept a position, especially one more high-profile than my last, I’ll have to make a choice. Do I walk toward the career of my dreams knowing I might have to walk away from the man I love?

Because there is no doubt. I love him.

Yet I can’t live in the gray forever. I just need to talk to him. To know if his commitment to a life of vengeance is stronger than his commitment to us. If we are really going to be in this for the long haul, we can’t have secrets that could put either one of us behind bars. I need to lay it all out. And if his compulsion for staying in the dark web is greater than my need for living in the light, at least I can walk away with my head held high.

Heartbroken or not, I won’t compromise the badge I worked so hard for.

The air in my small apartment is thick with the scent of roasted garlic and a slightly singed cheese crust. I’ve spent the last three hours hovering over a Pinterest recipe for the World’s Best Lasagna, following every step with the precision of a crime scene tech. It’s a far cry from the five-course tasting menus Max has treated me to, or even the effortless stir-fry he made that first night at his place.

My cooking abilities are questionable at best, but I needed him here. On my turf. Where his persuasive, alpha billionaire persona has to contend with a cramped kitchen and mismatched silverware.

Even when he’s trying to be casual Max, the power he possesses clings to him like a second skin. It’s in the way he fills a room, the sheer weight of his influence. I need to ensure there’s room for what’s important to me.

Dinner is a quiet affair. To my surprise, the lasagna is actually edible, though Max eats it with such genuine enthusiasm I suspect he’s either starving or a really good actor.

He lifts his wine for a toast. “I’m so proud of you, baby. I can’t believe after all you’ve endured, you managed to come out the other side so strong. And with your certification in digital forensics. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

We clink our glasses, and I remain quiet, contemplating if this is the opening I need to dive in to this conversation. So, once the plates are cleared and the wine is nearly gone, I decide to lay it all out there. I discuss my completed certifications, the dreams of working for a high-profile agency, and the impossible conflict of loving a man who dances on the edge of legality.

“I can’t arrest people for doing what you do, Max,” I say, my voice steady despite the hammering in my chest. “I love you, but I won’t compromise who I am.”

Max doesn’t even flinch. He reaches across the small table, his eyes burning with an intensity that makes the room feel smaller. “I will always choose you, Cassidy. Always.” He lifts my hand to his lips. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. I don’t want you to walk away from your career. I want you to bring your expertise to Secure Sphere.”

He leans forward, his expression serious and hopeful. “I’d like you to consider adding the position of Cyber and Privacy Investigations, Enforcement Manager at Secure Sphere to your list of possible contenders. I need someone who can manage compliance with search warrants, subpoenas… anything legal.”

I blink, the terminology clicking into place. “A law enforcement liaison?”

“Exactly,” Max says, his hand finding mine. “You’d be the point of contact for every agency seeking data or cooperation. You’d ensure every request is legitimate and legal. Even my Robin Hood agenda.” He chuckles. “You wouldn’t be hiding the work I do, but verifying it holds up in a courtroom. You’d be the bridge, Cass. My legal compass.”

I stare at him, dumbfounded. The possibility of such a role springs to life in my mind. It’s actually genius. “Max, that could be perfect.”