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“I know what Ethan said,” Hannah snapped.She closed the doors and wheeled around with near-militaryprecision, even more distracting because nobody should’ve been ableto move like that in heels that high. “About moving on. How itwasn’t personal.”
“Something like that, yeah.”
“It’s bullshit.” Hannah reached out andgrabbed Dane’s lapels, shaking him as best she could. She wastaller than the twins, but he still gazed down at her much like amastiff might look at a pushy Pomeranian.
“Are you unwell, Hannah? Should I get Mrs.Mac to check you for fever?”
“He didn’t fight for me, Dane. I hoped andprayed and he … he just let me marry somebody else.”
“Shit. That’s…” Dane slowly lifted his handsto Hannah’s shoulders. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
She released his jacket but didn’t move outof his light hold. “I told myself it was.”
“I take it that helping with a wedding’sbringing up bad memories?”
Hannah glared. “Does he still love me,Dane?”
Dane dropped his hands, turning his back toher. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Dane found the St. Michaelcoin and ran his thumb across its worn features. “It doesn’tmatter, Hannah.”
“Everyone keeps saying that, but they’rewrong.” She walked around him, getting back in his line of sight.Her bright blue eyes were manic. “Why didn’t Sawyer stop it? If heloved me, why didn’t he fight for me.”
“You’re better off with Van der Lindt,Hannah. You knew that as much as he did. That’s why you chose—”
“I didn’t choose,” she hissed. “He made itclear to me he wasn’t an option. Just like you’re doing rightnow.”
Dane scowled. “You don’t know what you’retalking about.” He turned again, his eyes on the door. “I have tomeet with your father. I’ve already kept him waiting.” She jumpedin front of him again, her hands shoving his chest. Hard. Dane fellback a step to keep his balance. “Hannah…”
“Ifanyoneknows what they’re talkingabout here, it’s me, Dane. And trust me, I wish you were anyoneelse. When Zara told me who it was…” She shuddered, as if beingattached to his name was akin to willingly getting cancer.
“Wow. There’s a vote of confidence.”
“You’re The Butcher, Dane. Would you bethrilled if your baby cousin tried to marry someone with yourreputation?”
“And yet here we are, and you’re—”
“You can’t let her do this, Dane!”
He took a deep breath, his shoulderssinking. “Even if she doesn’t marry him, she’d never have me back.I know what a burned bridge looks like.”
Hannah stared up at him with wide, sad eyes.“Do you love her?” It was such a stupid question. Dane closed hiseyes, visions of Zara’s stricken, tear-streaked face haunting thedarkness behind them. “Do you love her, Dane?” Hannah askedagain.
“Yes. But it isn’t that simple. I need herto be safe. Happy. She needs that.”
“She’s marrying a De Lucca. That’s not safe.And she sure as shit isn’t happy. So, what’s your next excuse?”
Something in Dane’s head shifted into place,sending all sorts of dust and dirt flying. He took another stepback. She was right. What was all this for if, in the end,neither of those things were true? What was any of it for?Hishand fisted in his pocket, the edge of the coin pressing into hispalm. “Your father is waiting for me.”
“Dane!”
“Doyoustill love Sawyer?” Thatshocked a gasp from her. One hand rose to her chest, grasping thesilver charm hanging at her neckline.
“I will always…”
“What’syourexcuse, then?”
Her perfect face contorted in a mix of griefand anger. “I’m married, Dane.”
“Ah, yes. And we all know how Fitzgeraldshonor the institution of marriage. By the way, how is yourstepmother? You know which one I’m talking about, yeah?”
