and uninviting. Julia Bailey's coffee sat untouche

cut on his palm, wrapping it clumsily with a band-ai

"Why put yourself in danger like

ok up. "You're we

s flickered with concern. "You stepped in for

ter, self-deprecating. "

y m

ht he might tell her. But then his jaw tighte

u keep saying that like it's su

"Because caring

e air between t

his coat, and left before

=

orcing herself to focus on her screen when a

ile

in the doorway of the small meeting

ed coolly. "If this is ab

bout Br

twisted. "Wh

are you defending him?" His tone was measured, but hi

own from what, exactly? Working ha

erstand how de

rying to rebuild his life, and all you do i

jaw flexed. "You think t

it al

nnerving lawyer calm. Then, quietly, he said, "He wasn't d

"Betrayal? Wh

shook his head. "That'

anything at all?

g too close. And when the truth comes out

e didn't back away. "You're pro

ropped lower. "Stay out of th

ng the faint scent of col

the word betrayal

Brandon wasn't there. His chair

unease ran

lobby-and that's

o face with Brandon near the exit. Their voices w

behind a colu

ns," James hissed. "You think hiding

Brandon shot bac

ou call this a life? You'v

than living a

agging her in

breath

lenched. "Leave J

d coldly. "She's alre

ion darkened. "Yo

oothly. "You don't have the pow

rned away sharply, shoving pas

ly a second before

=

s against her skin. She spotted him halfwa

shouted, chas

dn't

. "What the hell was that about? Why are

rain dripping down his f

flin

," he said hoarsely. "You don'

tell

can

y n

ll hate me to

rhead. For a heartb

you care so much, Julia? Why do you keep chasin

r mouth, but

ting-hoping-for an an

inwater tracing the edge of hi

d walked away, disapp

ed and trembling, her heart t

him-to demand the truth-b

ide, she already knew the

red. T