Page 97 of Silent Heart

But I could lie with her, here in the dark, steal a few more precious moments, since there was no knowing when I would have more.

“Okay,” I agreed.

Harley flopped back down, but didn’t curl into my side.

I didn’t tug her back.

This woman wasn’t supposed to see the underworld of Chicago! She wasn’t supposed to know the real me. That was why I left.

That and my duty.

I had to choose, and the noble thing was to fight for the survival of the many. I hated that it meant letting her go.

But fate was cruel. Everyone swore to me that her becoming Camilla’s friend was a freak accident. They would have stoppedit if they realized, but it was too late. It was hard to say if they’d done all they could. A woman who’d blown into my life, made me long for something I couldn’t have…it wasn’t their job to think about her night and day.

But it was all I could do.

No, if I’d stayed in Chicago, I would have kept better tabs on Harley. I would have realized right away that she was near Camilla and intervened before they could form an attachment. The few times I saw her this fall, it had been small glimpses, stolen out of my packed schedule of hunting and bratva business. My cousins were too busy with their lives and our organization to keep such close tabs on one woman.

My woman.

The one I couldn’t have.

Even now as she lay close enough for our skin to brush should one of us move, I couldn’t have her. the temptation would be too great. I knew myself. I couldn’t push her away again.

“You’re not sleeping,” she murmured.

“Neither are you.”

Harley sighed. “It’s not cozy up here.”

Guilt slapped me across the face. “What do you need?”

Her rough laugh was full of disdain. “They didn’t even give you a blanket.”

“It’s too dangerous.” Questions filled my mind. What did she know? Why would my idiot relatives let her in here? What if—

I squeezed my eyes closed.

I had to know.

“Did I hurt you, Harley?”

She was silent for a moment too long. “Not tonight.”

Damn her two-word answer. That must be what it was like talking to me.

“If you message my brother back, he’ll let you out,” I growled. “It’d be best if you left.”

Harley pushed to sit up. Anger licked her words. “That’s it?”

I shrugged. “You shouldn’t have to be confined here. You’re not the one that turns into a psychotic monster.”

Harley sucked in a harsh gasp. I couldfeelthe struggle she was having to keep back words. I wished she would unleash them. I deserved her ire. But…I wished for a lot of things, and the shooting stars over the Arizona desert didn’t seem to hear or give a rat’s ass about granting them.

The phone screen lit up as Harley’s angry fingers stabbed at the device. She flung herself off the mattress and stormed to the door. Less than five minutes later, the bar compressed, and my baby brother’s cheerful voice filled the room.

“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!” Luka boomed.

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