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“Blaire—”
“And when I chose to be with you”—the tears flowed freely as she inhaled a ragged sob—“Liam gotkilled.”
“No, dammit! What kind of reasoning isthat?”
“Your words, Grant,” she said softly. “You told me your family was falling apart. You didn’t have to say it was because ofme.”
“I told you I say shit when I’m angry and that’s why I choose to keep my mouth shut when Iam.”
“You were angry atme.”
“No. I was angry at thesituation.”
“It doesn’t matter now. Liam is stilldead.”
“Listen,Blaire—”
“I’m tired, Grant.” Her words, said in a gentle tone, made him more anxious. “I want to bealone.”
“Okay, you need your rest,” Grant forced himself to say, and then forced himself to move from the bed. He picked up his laptop, looked back at Blaire longingly, but she had already closed hereyes.
He could be patient, he toldhimself.
28
Grant
Once they arrivedat the brownstone, Grant lost allpatience.
Blaire refused his assistance when she got out of the vehicle. He balled his fists in frustration, but allowed her to walk without him, thinking she wanted to preserve her dignity. She refused help from Tyler and Jake as well, so it wasn’t personal. But what Grant realized as he walked into their bedroom and saw Blaire packing a suitcase was that she was preparing to live withouthim.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he demanded as he stalked into theroom.
“I’m leaving. I thought that was obvious,” she said as she limped into the closet to come back with an armful ofclothes.
“Don’t be a martyr,” he growled, grabbing the items from her left arm and throwing them on the bed. “Look at yourself. You’re black and blue. You can’t even walk without a limp. Your wrist is sprained. Now is not the time toleave.”
“And just exactly when is the time to leave, Grant?” Blaire’s eyes flashed at him, defiance mixed with pain. “When someone else gets hurt?Killed?”
“Blaire, it’s not your fault. Mom’s accident. Liam dying,” Grant said with a sigh. “Orlov is dead, baby. We’re getting the evidence to the Justice Department. Pretty soon, you’ll be free and clear of theBratva.”
Her lips trembled as she grabbed the clothes he discarded and continued to fold them into thesuitcase.
“Don’t waste your time packing,Angel.”
“I need to get away from thisplace.”
“From me, you mean?” Grant felt a spike of histemper.
“I can’t take it,” she said. “When you shut me out when you’re angry, it drives me crazy. Those three days you didn’t bother to call or text me made me insecure. I didn’t like the person I had become. I stalked you online, for God’s sake,” she laughed without humor. “I think …” She shoved more clothes into the suitcase. “I think if we’d been okay—if you’d given me any indication we were okay—I could have accepted your actions in the ER. I wouldn’t have left with Andy and would’ve waited for Tyler instead.” Her eyes widened. “Oh God, is Andyokay?”
“He’s fine,” hegrated.
“Okay …” Blaire whispered. “Okay,” she repeated. It was as if she had suddenly lost focus on what she was saying. She walked into the bathroom and swept all her toiletries into an open traincase.
Grant strode in after her and put his hands on her shoulders but she jumped, so he dropped his hands at his sides. “Baby…”
“I can’t,” she whispered. “I’m not strong enough to be with you, Grant. I’m too messed up here.” She tapped her head. “I went backthere.”
