Page 66 of The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

She’s terrified. It’s as clear as day, but she’s valiantly resisting it, trying to hang on and not drown under it. Knowing this precious, amazing woman is scared of Jeremy is too hard of a pill to swallow. It’s unjust. It’s a crime to allow. But I can’t do anything.

Like she said so sassily, she’s made her mind up. I don’t have to like it one bit, but I have to try to keep a grip on my temper. I lose the power, though, snapping when her argument with Marian hits a peak. I can’t stand here and listen to her insist that this is for the best. That her peace here would never have lasted. That going home is the ‘right’ thing to do for everyone involved.

What a crock of bullshit. Lies. Those are all lies. Her running away isn’t right for me. It’s not even fair to herself, but the final nail in that coffin is the way she’ll ruin this rare friendship she’s forged with Marian. This sweet older woman needs her too, but that won’t make a difference either.

“Fine!” I snap and grind my molars to hold in the curses burning to leave my mouth. “Just leave!”

She stills, and her eyelids flutter quickly as she shutters her reaction to my shouts.

Pain. It’s crystal clear in her blue eyes, glossy now with tears.

I’ve hurt her with those curt commands, but I’m hurt too. I’m lashing out and wounded myself, but what does it matter now? She obviously won’t change her mind, and I won’t put myself out there any further for her to strike at and cut down.

I shake my head and stalk past her. The porch is still cast in shadows, and the railing I was supposed to replace is damp with dew and moisture from the night. I set my hands there anyway, needing something to grip until my knuckles ache. Anything, something to bleed out the pain and vent my frustration before I explode.

Marian’s voice carries closer as she follows Lauren out here. She’s still begging and trying to persuade her to stay, but it’s no use. Lauren doesn’t even look at her, sniffling with her eyes downcast as a car pulls up.

A black SUV. I grip the wooden railing harder, digging my nails into the soft beam.

Jeremy. He’s here. I watch, seething and barely hanging on to my anger as the bastard gets out of the car. I’d love to throttle him and throw him down the mountainside, but I won’t. I can’t.

I look back at Lauren, hating how much it hurts to see her face.

I can’t stand in the way anymore.

I love her too much, enough that I have to let her choose her own fate.

Chapter 26

Lauren

Caleb glowers as he drops his chin to his chest. His fingers encircle the railing that creaks under his touch. His anger radiates off him so palpably it’s amazing he doesn’t snap it like it’s nothing more than a toothpick under his strong hands.

He only raises his head when Jeremy pulls up the drive.

This is it.

This is the moment I’ve chosen.

After I caved to the need to talk to Jeremy and explain why he had to give this up, I wallowed in the fear of what he threatened. This was still a case of following my heart, and by going along with Jeremy, I could know that Caleb would be all right.

The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him. I had, anyway. I’ll never forget the look of agony in his eyes as he fought with me inside. But this is the only way I can handle it.

Running from Jeremy was hard, but returning to him feels like a peril that has no good ending, not for me.

“Lauren,” Marian pleads. “This isn’t fair. Not to yourself. Not to me, either.”

I turn to her, trying to stay strong enough to explain what I can and hope she hears the truth in my words. “I’m sorry, Marian. I’m so sorry. For all of this. I am sorry.”

She shakes her head, hugging her thin frame as tears chop up her breath. “I beg you, Lauren. Stay.”

I draw in a deep breath, shaking with the effort. Then I shake my head, showing her my answer when my voice fails me.

“I…I can’t.”

“You can.” Her lips are firm as she loses a smidgen of her temper. “I told you. You always have a voice, honey. Don’t you dare forget that.”

“And I’m using it.” I glance at Caleb’s strong back as he refuses to look my way. My vision blurs from tears, and I face this sweet woman who stepped into my life as a fairy godmother. “I have to go.”

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