She studied his profile. His jaw muscles bunched, his lashes damp with tears he refused to let fall. He looked defeated, but at the same time like he was ready to go to battle. He looked beautifully, treacherously broken. Her gaze traveled down the bulging veins in his neck and along the tension-riddled muscles in his arm to his hands, which were fisted so tight, she knew his fingernails had to be digging into his palms. She’d slept with this man, knew every inch of his body intimately. He’d put those strong hands on her, and she’d never once been afraid. She’d been livid about his leaving without a word, but now all she wanted was to ease his burden. Well, that and give his ex-wife and sister hell for not standing by such a loyal, protective man.

He cocked his head, eyeing her with the same determined expression he’d had every night before they’d gone their separate ways, when he’d tell her to have a good life or to take care of herself. The look that said he’d been through hell, and he would get through this, too.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Blue Eyes. If I could change my past or go back and start over with you and tell you everything, I would do it in a heartbeat. I won’t blame you if you never want to see me again.”

Her father and grandfather were right. This unfinished business had bitten her in the ass, but as she covered his hands with hers and said, “I’m not going anywhere,” it was also setting her free.

Chapter Thirteen

MORNING TRICKLED IN like the sun peeking over a mountain, bringing into focus the feel of Tobias’s chest rising and falling beneath Madigan’s cheek as they lay on the futon, the rugged scent of man and musk curling around her. His arm lay heavily across her back, his big hand palming her hip. They’d opened the futon last night, and she must have fallen asleep while they were talking, because they were still fully dressed.

They’d both been emotionally drained, but Tobias had gone on to tell her that his father hadn’t returned his calls when he’d been arrested, and they hadn’t spoken in years. When he’d told her that his sister had completely cut him off, his grief had been as raw as an open wound, and Madigan had felt his pain as her own. That pain had eased a little knowing his grandfather had stuck by him, but it was driven deeper when he’d told her that he’d learned of his grandfather’s cognitive decline while he was in prison.