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“I called our clients to let them know we wouldn’t be delivering today, and the very first one I spoke to said a nice gentleman had already dropped off Sprocket’s food for the weekend.”
Silence was his response.
“I kept calling and getting the same story. What do you know about that?” I craned my neck, waiting impatiently, although I already knew.
Lincoln had kept up our business when we couldn’t. He’d already been doing it for me all week. But he’d taken the initiative on his own.
“I hope they were satisfied.” There was zero emotion in his tone.
“Thank you.”
He looked toward the windows as if the words pained him to hear.
“For yesterday too.”
That got his attention.
His nostrils flared. “Yesterday, I nearly got Eric killed.”
I shrank back into the sofa. I’d never heard him speak so angrily. I had been so busy worrying over Eric that I hadn’t considered what was going on behind the wall Lincoln had so quickly erected around himself again.
“You got him back safely,” I said quietly.
He let out a sharp laugh that was bitter and hollow. “Safely? I’m afraid our definitions of the word are vastly different. Being held at gunpoint and locked in a closet for hours is notsafe.”
Earlier, I’d been quick to blame Lincoln for what had happened, even if I hadn’t expressed that to him. He didn’t need that because he blamed himself enough for both of us.
“We are in complete agreement on that, Mr. Hollingsworth.” I stood, my temper rising.
“Excellent. Then I think you’ll agree it’s best he isn’t in my care anymore.”
Mr. Asshole had returned with a vengeance, making Mr. Stoic look like Mr. Congeniality.
I marched into his space and looked up at him where he towered over me. “He never was in your care. Mine.Always mine.”
His gaze hardened. “I couldn’t protect you either.”
“We don’t need your protection.”
Just his support and time and . . . him.
He lifted his hand as if to touch me, then lowered it. “I care for you both. Very much. But I am not what you need.”
I searched his face. My chest heaved as the words sunk in. He cared for us?He cared for us?Just not enough to stick it out. He’d made me believe we could get through anything.
“You’re the coward.” I shoved my finger into his chest. “Out of everything I think you are, I didn’t expect that.”
He just stared down at me with that unreadable expression I despised.
“I’m not waking Eric up to go back home in the middle of the night. He’s been through enough.” I balled my fist so tight, my nails dug into my palm. “He’s going to be devastated. And I willneverforgive you for that.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lincoln
I will never forgiveyou for that.
I will never forgive you for that.
