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Taking a step forward, I extend my arm. Her head whips in my direction. No faux smiles, just a cold, icy stare.
“Mark. Pleasure to meet you,” I say, perhaps a bit too slowly. In all honestly, the look I’m getting from her is starting to freak me out. It’s like a cat deciding whether to attack or run away.
She looks at my hand, then back to my face. The hand resting at her side rises for a moment before her fingers start to flick in an awkward movement. Ethan clears his throat, and her golden gaze snaps to him.
“I’m sorry for this. We found her outside. She looked to be in a really bad way. By the time—”
Her hand lifts in a quick motion.
“Stop.”
Her husky voice has my body leaning forward in attention. Ethan starts to open his mouth, but she cuts him off again.
“Stop. The. Lies.” She steps toward Ethan slowly. “You know who she is. I know who you are. She trusts you for some reason. So, tell me who fucking did this.”
Ethan and I share a knowing look.
“Was she attacked in the field?” the woman asks.
“Yes.” Ethan spends the next few minutes going through everything that has happened tonight. She just stands still, listening intently. Though her face remains placid throughout Ethan’s speech. When he stills, she looks over at her sister, then back at him.
“You didn’t see who it was?”
“No, they were gone by the time I got there. I heard a car leave. But that was it.” His shoulders slump again, and he runs his fingers through his hair.
“Mmm…You didn’t follow them or get a description of the vehicle?”
He shakes his head.
“You’re not very useful, are you?” she says as she turns to face the bed. The statement’s devoid of emotion. As though she’s listing off facts with no care for the man visibly upset standing next to her.
Ethan purses his lips, then moves past us toward the door.
“I’m going to get some water. She’s out of ice.”
I don’t miss the burning rims of his eyes as he pitches forward to grasp the cup.
“Seems pointless. But okay.” She doesn’t spare him a second glance.
The moment he’s out of ear shot, I take a step forward, looming over her with fire running in my veins.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Her head whips up to me, eyes narrowed.
“My sister is in the bed of her stalker, who didn’t bother to protect her and then failed to gather any information on her attacker. I’m being pretty fucking nice given the circumstances, asshole.”
Her head snaps toward the bed. She takes a step in its direction, but I move to block her path.
“I’m not going to stick up for everything my brother does. Is he a bit strange? Yes. Borderline creepy? Definitely. But if you haven’t noticed, the man is racked with guilt. He’s in his head punishing himself every second that passes. You rubbing salt in the wound makes it harder for him to forgive himself. And he deserves forgiveness. Whoever attacked her has clearly been watching. I’m going to assume you help her, since you know so much. So, if you’re going to punish people responsible, add yourself to that list, cause clearly you missed the signs as well.” Standing my ground, I wait for a response to my outburst.
Her golden gaze drops, then on a sigh, she looks up, holding out her hand.
“Litza.”
A long moment passes while my mind catches up to what’s happening.
“Mark.” Outstretching my arm, I take her soft hand in mine.
