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“I’ve never seen my brother act like this,” Olivia murmurs. “I want him to be happy, but I’m not sure either of you knows what you’re getting into.”

“We’re well aware. I didn’t make this decision lightly. I know what I’ve given up, and I know it won’t get easier.”

I am not going to sit here and let her pass judgment, no matter who she is.

I don’t need her to understand what Mason and I are to each other.

Olivia looks as if she’s seeing me for the first time. “I wasn’t trying to imply that you didn’t.”

I lean forward. “What are you trying to say?”

“He was right. You look a lot like our mother. I wonder… well, anyway, look, I know this must seem like I’m trying to ambush you, but I just wanted to meet you.”

I frown. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”

I wonder if coming down here with her was a good idea.

She’s not plotting something like Mathew is, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t up to something.

I hate not knowing how I fit into the bigger picture, and which of the Payne siblings are willing to sacrifice me for the greater cause.

I take a deep breath and lean back into the chair. “I’m sorry about how everything’s turned out. I know your lives have been affected, too, and I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

Silence stretches between us as I gather my nerve.

“But I’m not sorry about how I feel about your brother. I wish things could’ve gone differently, but I can’t control any of this.”

Olivia nods.

“I’m sure you’ve made some bad decisions too,” I continue. “But at the time, I’m sure it felt like the right thing to do.”

Olivia’s expression hardens. “You don’t know anything about me, or the decisions I’ve had to make.”

I level her with a pointed look. “Exactly.”

Olivia stands up, but before she can say anything else, Mason’s voice drifts in. He strolls into the library and stands infront of his sister. A glance passes between us before she walks away. He turns to me with a look that would scare anyone else away.

“Good chat?”

My arms fall to my sides. “She came to me.”

“We were careful,” I add without looking away. “Were you going to tell me about the security changes?”

Mason’s eyes flash. “Yes.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Like you were going to talk to me about the fact that I look like your mother?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I’m sorry you couldn’t save her, but I’m not your mother,” I say. “And if that’s why you’re keeping me around….”

I’ve danced around the topic long enough.

I need to know the truth.

Mason’s hand darts out, and his fingers close around my wrist. “I won’t dignify that with a response. You should know better.”

Then, he tugs me out of the library and up the stairs.