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Their eyes met—-
Grant staggered to a stop.
No.
Oh God.
NO.
But he knew no matter how hard he wished, the truth wouldn’t go away.
There was no longer any hope in her eyes.
And she was no longer whole.
“I’m sorry.”
He had failed.
“I’m s-so sorry.”
Grant fell to his knees next to her bed. “I’m s-so sorry.” He took hold of her hands, and his blood ran cold at how hard her body was shaking. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh G-Grant.” And still she laughed, still she cried. “I’m scared. I’m s-scared if I stop—-” She raised terror-crazed eyes to Grant. “I don’t t-think I know how to breathe w-without him, Grant. I r-really don’t think I can, and isn’t t-that crazy?”
More laughter.
More tears.
It was the most painful sound Grant had ever heard in his entire life—-
And so it was, too, for the prince.
Standing outside the room, the sound reached him, flayed him alive, burned him blind, and he slowly stumbled, his strength disappearing at his inability to reach out to the woman he knew he would always, always love.
My Fawn.
My angel.
My love.
But he knew it was better this way, knew that for as long as he believed it was his destiny to be the Prince of Darkness—-
So was it his destiny to love her from a distance.
****
“Thank you for agreeing to speak with me, Ms. Cornwall.”
The young woman on the hospital bed nodded. “Thank you for agreeing with my request, too.”
30-year-old Fredericka Spears took her time studying her star witness. According to her files, Fawn Cornwall was a straight-A student her entire life and had never been cited for a single misdemeanor either in or out of school. She had also been able to split her time effectively between the academic demands of her scholarship, part-time jobs, and all the responsibilities that came with being the girlfriend of politician’s son Grant Bennett.
A good girl in every sense of the word, Fredericka pondered, but all it had taken was one mistake – one that took the form of a six-foot-plus half-Greek playboy infamously known as the Prince of Darkness – and the descent to hell of Fawn’s life had been inevitable.
And yet, here this girl was, face bandaged, body beaten black and blue, but instead of blaming the man who was the reason behind her involvement in Fredericka’s high-profile case—-
Fawn was asking for something that was for that man’s sake.
Clearing her throat, Fredericka said finally, “I’ve spoken with my clients, and they’ve given me their permission to speak with you about your request.”
Fawn unconsciously gripped the edges of her bed covers. “A-and?”
“First of all, I’d like you to know that what you’ve requested has no bearing on my case. Or if it does, then I’m unfortunately certain it’s only going to make things more sensational, and that’s a good thing for my clients.” Fredericka paused. “Which is why…I’d like to speak with you, one woman to another.”
Ah. Fawn’s lips formed a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’re wondering why I want it this way?”
“If I may be blunt—-”
This time, Fawn’s smile was a bit more genuine. “Will I be able to stop you?”
Fredericka said apologetically, “I’m afraid not, Ms. Cornwall.”
“Then…please feel free.”
This was so hard, Fredericka thought glumly. Serial killers were so much easier to talk to. At least one didn’t have to worry about hurt feelings with them.
Taking a deep breath, she finally decided to say it in one go. “Have you made your request in hopes of making Reid Chalkias take pity and pick up where he left things off with you?” Fredericka had barely finished speaking when her star witness started shaking her head at her.
“No.” At the attorney’s skeptical expression, Fawn insisted, “It’s really not.”
“You may be honest with me—-”
“Oh, Attorney, I am.” A soft, painful laugh spilled out of her, and Fawn thought absently, Here we go again. Not wanting to sink into hysterics, she cleared her throat several times, working to get herself under control. “And I mean it when I say I don’t need his pity.”
Seeing that Fawn really did mean it, Fredericka blurted out, “Then what is this for?”
“Love,” Fawn answered simply. “I know you don’t believe me.” Another shaky laugh escaped her, and her grip on the covers tightened. “I know the world won’t believe me, and God knows even the prince doesn’t believe me, but I know.” She touched her heart. “I know here.” Her voice turned into a whisper. “I know he loves me, and I feel…I feel this is the only hope I have left of making him realize that I’m s-strong enough to love him back.”
Fredericka slowly settled back on her chair. “You win.” And it wasn’t as if there had been any other alternative, the moment she saw the emotions in Fawn’s eyes. After everything this woman had gone through, the least she could do was give Fawn a fighting chance for her own happy-ever-after.
