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She shrugged.

“Leave now with me.”

I held out my hand to her.

“I can get us out of here safely. Together. And then I promise I’ll make it up to you. Do you trust me?”

Scenes flashed before my eyes. Léonie with her fingers stretched toward mine, following me through mountain paths, her hands trailing by slippery moss and pretty trilliums. Coming out into hidden waterfalls, then guiding her into the cool water with me.

Trusting eyes. Parted lips.

The water streaming over her bright hair, as my hands were all over her, pulling up her dress, tipping her hips up so my cock could slip inside to that perfect tight fit, that silky wet grip.

But this time her face was closed, her eyes shuttered.

How could my heart still be pounding in my chest and it seemed to have no effect on her?

“No.”

“Come with me,” I tried again, striding over and opening the window. “Please. I was a bastard, but I promise I never for one moment intended to abandon you and the fact that you were threatened without me there to protect you is the biggest regret of my life.”

I hadn’t lost a fight in a long time, and I remembered the last time. I’d been in kindergarten and mouthing off to some of the older teens.

I’d ended up flat on my back with the air knocked out of my lungs, vowing I’d never lose again.

And that pain was nothing to the look on my wife’s face. Utter contempt and disdain.

“Never. I will never trust you again.”

It was like she’d punched a hole in my chest, it was aching so hard.

I could only stare at her as the door was practically bowing open with the force behind it, my hand stretched out foolishly in front of me.

Was Hugo in love with her?

Was she in love with Hugo?

And for the first time I had to accept—Léonie was no longer my sure thing.

I had to believe somewhere, deep down, she still loved me. At least a little bit.

Or I’d go completely mad.

“You better go,” Léonie said. “They’re about to break down that door.”

I could hear the wood snapping behind me.

“No!” I said.

My fingers were shaking, but still I held them out.

“I’m not leaving until you forgive me! I’m not leaving until you believe me. That I know I was wrong and I know I fucked up, but I still love you, and I always will.”

“You might be here for a while then,” she said, as the door splintered open behind me.

And then someone hit me hard on the back of my head and for a time the pain and desire and agony was wiped from my blank, unconscious mind.

CHAPTER 16