Caged(112)

"No. After Naomi, women were a tool. He used them when he needed them and put them out of his mind when he finished with them."

Molly sipped her coffee. "Harsh."

"But true. I could make excuses and claim he's a man's man. He understands his instructors and his guy friends. Knox, Deacon, Gil, and now Fisher and Riggins. But he is way off base when it comes to Blue, Beck, Maddox, and Ito. He seriously fucked up with Knox and the Shihan issue." She shook her head. "That was another situation I had to explain to Master Black after the fact, about how wrong his approach had been with Knox. And don't get me started on how fucking clueless he was about his own damn sister." She paused and closed her eyes. "He's getting better with Shiori. And Katie. She can be annoying, but she knows her stuff. That's not something I ever thought I'd admit." She opened her eyes and looked at Molly. "But back to you. I'm so freaking sorry I sicced Ronin on you and he made it worse."



       
         
       
        

"You misunderstood. Ronin helped me-up until the point he talked about how much better Deacon fought when he was in turmoil over me. Ronin is the only one who knows that Deacon has things in his past he'd rather not discuss."

"But Deacon told you those things?"

"No. I found out from someone else. That's where my problem began. Deacon's secrets aren't mine to tell. I couldn't talk to anyone about what happened between us because the breakup was based on his nondisclosure." She groaned. "That sounded like a damn business breakdown."

"Cut yourself a break, Molly. You majored in business. It helps to put things in a context you can understand."

"I'm happy you know that about me. Anyway, Deacon made it right with me. He gave me time to settle, and then I was at a point where I could listen." Molly stared into her coffee cup. "It didn't make it any easier to hear."

"Did Deacon tell you all of it?"

Her head shot up. "Why would you-"

"Ask that? Seems like a weird question, I know. But trust me-my husband has many secrets. Just when I think I've uncovered them all, a new one pops up. I've had to accept that loving him means letting him tell me those secrets on his time frame, not mine. So is that something you can live with?"

Why hadn't Molly considered that Deacon might be keeping more from her? Because he'd come clean about the accident, his family, and financial situation?

"Hey, I'm not trying to sow seeds of discord. Far from it. I'm happy that you and Deacon found each other. But I can't help drawing the parallels between Ronin and Deacon. There's a reason they get along so well beyond their connection to martial arts."

"You mean because they're both rich?"

Amery fidgeted. "I wondered if Deacon would disclose that. And I hated that if he didn't, it wasn't up to me to tell you. Jesus, Molly. You know I know how that feels."

Ronin had hidden his billionaire-heir status from Amery, and it'd caused a serious break in their relationship that'd lasted several weeks. They'd repaired it, but Molly knew their financial disparity was still a concern for Amery. "I know it would've caused a conflict for you. But I understand that your loyalty is to Ronin."

"Thank god. I worry it might be a tricky balance between us, keeping our friendship and our business relationship, as well as our significant others' secrets. I don't want either of us to be afraid to confide in the other. I trust you, Molly, and I think you trust me."

"I do. So how did you learn about Deacon's family money? Ronin?" 

She shook her head. "Deacon's father flew in for the last fight-the one you skipped because he stood you up-on the company's private jet. Not a charter, but a private plane they own. Deacon's dad didn't hide that, but he didn't brag, either. I ended up talking to him at the after-party since Deacon was with-" Amery snapped her mouth shut.

"Ring bunnies. Yeah, I know about them. Speaking of after-parties . . . the fight card that he and Needham are on is being held in Denver, right?"

"Yes."

"We haven't done promo for it."

"That's because it's not sponsored by Black and Blue Promotions. East Meets West dojo is in charge. And they throw killer parties." She grinned. "I saw Katie taking notes and digging through the garbage in her ring-girl costume to see if the hors d'oeuvres were from Costco."

Molly laughed. "She would. That woman is tenacious. And I'm glad you've gotten over whatever problem you had with her."

"Jealousy. I didn't like the way she looked at my man."