he counter. It was Ryan. He was dressed in casual clothes, a stark contrast to the firefighter'

false concern. "I came as soon as I heard

otective arm around my shoulders.

emotion. I felt nothing for him anymore. The

on him and walked away, Liam at my side. I could f

e scent of fresh coffee. It felt safe. The first thing I did was walk to the bat

llen from the IV and the ordeal. I pulled harder, grunting with the

let m

. He walked into the bathroom as if he belonged there,

my hand. I sn

uch me,"

ative. "It's the only thing you have left of him. Of... my bro

stood there, lecturing me about his own

feel a responsibility to look after you. Ryan would have wan

he wanted to control me. He wanted to keep me tethered to the past he had fabricated, a consta

trying to bring some normalcy back into my life. We wer

at a table a

reached across the table and touched it, his fingers lingering on her skin. He then rai

re watching them with sympathy. I c

what happened t

s brother is here t

s so fragile

ck" and saw a devoted brother-in-law. No one saw the truth. No one saw

ile wearing a necklace that probably cost more than my car. She wasn't a victim. She was his co-consp

mine on the table. "We ca

l locked on the smiling, dece

and dangerous. "I'm not run

I swallowed. I would not let them see me break. I would sit here, with the man who tr