Page 57 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

No, to answer her question.

Who am I? The soldier? The heir? The ranch hand? I'm not sure I even know anymore.

But I know somewhere along the road of figuring it out, I found her. And it's made me see my future differently.

"My full name is Shane Kennedy," I say finally. "My family owns Innoventis Defense Tech."

Krystal's eyes widen. "The defense contractor? But that's a multi-billion dollar company."

I nod, watching her face carefully. "And I'm supposed to be its next CEO."

She takes a step back, shaking her head. "No. That's not possible. You're just a ranch hand. You fix tractors and mend fences."

"I do those things," I agree. "But it's not all I am."

Krystal sinks into a chair, her face pale. "So everything you told me... it was all a lie?"

"No!" I stand up, moving towards her. She flinches, and I stop, my heart breaking. "Everything I've told you about my time in the military, about why I came here. That's all true. I just... left out some details."

"Some details?" Her laugh is bitter. "You're a billionaire, Shane. That's not a detail. That's a whole other life."

I kneel in front of her, desperate to make her understand. "It's a life I've been trying to escape. Coming here, meeting you and Ashanti. It's the first time I've felt like myself in years."

She looks at me, her eyes searching mine. "Why are you telling me this now?"

I take a deep breath. "Because my father wants me back in New York. There's a big contract coming up, and he needs me there."

"And you're going," she says. It's not a question.

I nod, the weight of my decision heavy on my shoulders. "I have to. But not without you."

Krystal stands up abruptly, pacing the small living room. "You want me to what? Leave everything behind and follow you to New York? Just like that?"

"I know it's a lot to ask," I say, standing up. "But Krystal, I?—"

A knock at the door cuts me off. We both freeze, staring at each other.

"Krystal?" A familiar voice calls out. "It's Jordan. We need to talk."

Krystal's face drains of color. She looks at me with panic in her eyes. "Shane, you need to hide. Now."

I shake my head, stepping closer to her. "I'm not going anywhere."

The knocking grows more insistent. "Krystal, I know you're in there. Open up, or I'll?—"

I move past Krystal, yanking the door open. Jordan stands there, his hand raised to knock again. His eyes widen when he sees me. Then he recovers.

"Shane Kennedy. I didn't expect to see you here."

I straighten to my full height, blocking his view of Krystal. "Too bad. What do you want?"

Jordan's eyes narrow. "Kennedy? As in Innoventis Defense Tech?"

I don't answer, but my silence is confirmation enough. A slow smile spreads across Jordan's face.

"Well, well," he says, looking past me to Krystal. "Looks like you've traded up. But don't forget, I still hold all the cards regarding Ashanti."

I feel Krystal stiffen behind me. Without thinking, I step forward, forcing Jordan back.

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