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Oh no. What happened? He stepped forward, closing the space between them. he tucked her hair behind her ears and gently turned her face side to side. “He didn’t hurt you, did he? Where is he? I’ll kill ’im,” he said in a rough voice.
She pulled his hand away from her face, saying, “He didn’t hurt me.”
“Then why do you look like you’re… hurting?”
A single tear slipped from her eye and she blinked furiously as she brushed it away. “I… because Iamhurting.” She lifted her gaze to meet his, but it didn’t last long. Shaking her head, Brielle let out a watery laugh. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“Then let me.” Wade brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “You shouldn’t see Tad anymore.”
“Wade—”
“I’m serious. He isn’t who he says he is.”
She stared at him, finally reacting the way he’d expected her to.
“His name is Clark, and he was hired by Madeline to mess with us. The real Tad passed away several years ago. I don’t know why she thought sending a stranger to pretend he was someone you had a relationship with was a good idea. It’s crazy, right? I can’t believe we didn’t see right through it.” He stiffened, his gaze whipping around. As far as he knew, Clark was still around here somewhere.
“I’m sorry, what? Tad is… dead?”
He glanced at her, worried he’d find her distraught, but she merely looked thoughtful.
“I’m sorry,” he said as he reached out and grasped Brielle’s hand, tugging her to the side of the barn. “Shane wanted me to wait to tell you. He thinks we can use Clark to prevent Madeline from targeting us. Is he here?”
“Who? Shane?” Her voice was still thoughtful—quiet.
“No. Clark. Has he come by today? Your father was acting a little strange when I knocked on the door. I don’t care what Shane says. I’m not letting that guy within an inch of you. From this point forward I’m going to—”
“Wade,” she said softly.
“…make sure no one does this again.”
“Wade.” This time her voice was more exasperated. “Tad—Clark—whatever his name is… he was here.”
His blood ran cold. “Where is he?”
“He’s not here anymore.”
Wade’s hand tightened on hers. “What happened? Did he do something? You didn’t marry him or anything, did you?”
The flat look on her face made it clear she wasn’t amused by his question. “No, I didn’t marry him. Just because I did that once doesn’t mean…” Her voice trailed off and a soft rose color filled her cheeks. She looked away and then glanced back at him. “He told me what was going on.”
He barely had time to register the shock from her statement when she continued.
“Madeline hired him, yes. But she also promised him a lot of money and when she wasn’t willing to pay up, he left.”
“But your father… he’s one of the wealthiest ranchers in the state. Why not just continue the lie?”
She shrugged. “Turns out he wasn’t willing to spend the time needed to get the payout that would come with an inheritance.”
Wade couldn’t help but notice the disappointment in her voice. Was she actually upset that Clark wasn’t hanging around to manipulate her? He swallowed back the displeasure that came with that realization. This guy must have really done a number on her. And what did it say about her feelings for him that she would prefer the company of a criminal?
Okay, technically, Wade was a criminal too. Just not in the same sense that Clark was. But he was going to do better. He was going to be the man she deserved, and he was going to tell her right now.
“I wanted to tell you something,” Brielle said.
Wade clamped his mouth shut and locked his gaze with hers.
“I…” She didn’t look away, as much as he was certain she wanted to. She steadfastly kept her gaze trained on him. “I’m so sorry.” The sound of her voice breaking shattered his heart. She blinked rapidly and brought one hand up to press her fingers into her eyes. “I’m sorry for what I said and what I did. I need you to know that.” Brielle sucked in a shuddering breath. Any minute she could start crying, and then he wouldn’t be able to control himself either.
