Page 3 of Let Me Love You

He raises his brows and glances at me for a moment through the rearview mirror before focusing back on the road. “This is the first time you’ll see Serenity again since she helped patch you up.”

I rub at my shoulder on instinct. A few months ago, a former Barlowe Technology board member kidnapped Harmony, and when I went to rescue her with Elias, her now boyfriend, I was shot. Serenity’s soft, gentle hands worked on me until my bleeding stopped, and she kept me alive until the ambulance arrived.

I sigh at the single thought about Serenity. Other than Harmony, she’s the only woman to look at me and not hit on me just because I’m a billionaire. No, I’d say Serenity hates me because of it, and that sends a thrill through me.

Being near her will only bring trouble, but I can’t resist the pull.

Jay turns down a long, gravel driveway, leading to a small cabin nestled in the back of the property surrounded by large pine trees. My heart is thrown into overdrive as we near the parked cars. Serenity is there somewhere.

I’ve been waiting for this reunion since I last saw her. And somehow, I’ve resisted the urge to call her several times. Perhaps it’s the thought that I’d seem like a weirdo stalker.

And I’m not a needy teenager who can’t control his impulses.

When the car is parked, I open my door and halt when Jay says, “I’ll go downtown. Call me when you’re ready to leave.”

I nod and exit the SUV, ambling over toward the crowd gathered on the side of Elias and Harmony’s home. There are a few women surrounding the birthday girl. Other than Elias and me, the only other man here is Sully, Harmony’s father.

As I near them, I spot a waffle station with a plethora of different toppings. There’s chocolate, caramel, M&M’s, chocolate chips, whipped cream, peanut butter, and a few other toppings I can’t place before walking past.

Harmony chatters animatedly as she stands beside Elias who mans the grill. The scent of gas and chicken intertwine inside my nose. My steps slow to a stop when I spy Serenity next to her sister. Serenity throws her head back and laughs at something. The sun glints off her red hair, turning it into a fiery explosion. So, she does know what a smile is. She just doesn’t grace me with one.

I’ll have to tuck that information away for later. It has now turned into my life’s mission to earn one of her smiles.

Serenity bends over, scoops up her daughter, and twirls her around in circles. Serenity’s forest green dress flares out around her like she’s a fairy and has a magical lure that I can’t resist. Summer shrieks as they continue moving in circles until they both fall to the ground.

Huh. So, that’s what motherly affection looks like?

“Victor!” Harmony hollers from her spot. She strides over to me and wraps me in a hug. “I’m so happy you could make it. Serenity bet me you wouldn’t come.”

I smirk and pull away from her embrace. “Yeah? And what did you win?”

Harmony leans in close as if she’s going to tell me a secret. “A batch of her famous brownies.”

My mouth waters. Brownies are my favorite dessert.

I wink and say, “You’ll have to share them with me since I helped you get them.”

She pats her belly. “I’m not sure any will be left over. They’ll be gone in less than five minutes.”

Serenity marches over with a purpose and crosses her arms over her chest. “Why are you here?”

Harmony gasps. “I invited him. Don’t be rude.”

“Why would you invite him? He’s the reason you were kidnapped.”

Harmony waves a hand. “None of that matters anymore. We’re all safe and sound while Mr. Smith is locked up.”

My gut twists with a burning hot knife lodged inside. If it weren’t for me—or Mr. Smith, the unfortunate board member—Elias wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital protecting the woman he loves. Harmony wouldn’t have been kidnapped. And I wouldn’t have been injured.

After everything that went down, I had background checks done again on every single one of my employees.

I clear my throat. “If I may interject. I apologized for everything that transpired. Not to mention I paid for all the hospital bills.”

Serenity huffs out a harsh laugh. “Oh, yes. Mr. Billionaire threw his money around. I’m shocked at the money you spent—what must be like pennies to a man like you.”

A fire flares to life inside me. This is what I’ve been missing since I last saw her. “Harmony has accepted my apology. And so has Elias. Why won’t you?”

Her gaze doesn’t waver as she stares me down. “People like you aren’t trustworthy.”