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“You’ve been ashamed of this from the start. You don’t want anyone to know this exists.”
“That’s okay,” she said. “Because it doesn’t. Not anymore.”
“I don’t give up,” he said.“You’re a McDade.”
“You can say it as often as you like. But if that was true, I wouldn’t have been anywhere near that alley, would I? I wouldn’t have been unsafe in your territory.”
“You’ll never be unsafe again.”
She sighed. “Go home, Conn. Go back to your world and leave me in mine.”
“It was real,” he hissed.
“Our attraction? Yes,” she said because it was impossible to deny. She wasn’t ashamed of it either. “We had fun. It was fun. But this is real life, Conn. This is my life. I need people around who are real. People I can rely on. People I can trust. I need people who care about me. Who’ll be around for a long time. You’re not that guy.”
“I’ve killed for you,” he snarled under his breath.
“For me?” she asked. “Or for your pride?”
Seconds passed, his eyes flashed to hers and then he was gone, slamming the bedroom door at his back.
Breathing out, the adrenaline got a chance to sink in, and nausea hit. Dropping back against the doorframe, she closed her eyes, waiting for the dizziness to pass. At least this time she could check something off the to-do list. Connel was out of her life; she’d never have to deal with him again.
TWENTY-THREE
PUTTING HER ARM in a plastic bag was the easy part. She’d never realized just how much she needed both hands in the shower until she was without one of them. Even putting the cap over her hair, so she didn’t have to wash it, was difficult.
It would be her life for a while, she’d get used to it.
Clothes were more difficult. Pants would be no problem, but nothing work suitable fitted over her splint. So she went with a dress, maybe a little formal, but she would rather be more business than pleasure.
She tried with the concealer, but it was impossible to hide the swelling still in her face. In the mirror, she didn’t look like her. Was that her injuries or something else?
Whatever it was, she had to get back to her life and left her bedroom ready to return to work.
She didn’t expect there to be people in her living room or for one of them to be her former protector.
“Daly?” she said.
He turned to smile at her. “Miss me?”
“What the hell?” she asked, glancing at Strat next to him before hurrying over to hug the other bodyguard.
At least, she intended to hug him until she raised her good arm too high and aggravated her injuries.
“Don’t worry,” Daly said, offering a gentle hug. “I know I’m out of shape.” He didn’t look bad at all, considering. “I’ve got guys downstairs for the tough stuff. Boss just thought you’d prefer a familiar face.”
“Strat is familiar,” she said, looking at him. “What’s going on? Why the hell are you here?”
“I’m here because I knew you’d never do as told and rest,” Strat said. “Didn’t expect McDade to answer the door when I knocked.”
“McDade to… Connel?” Her focus swung back to Daly. “Why was Connel in my apartment again?”
“Again?” he asked. “Boss spent the night.”
“Boss spent the night,” she murmured. Shock hit her hard. “He stayed over?”
Daly snickered. “Guess it wasn’t a night to remember.”
