Page 169 of Beautiful Liar

“So what, you want me to go have a cup of coffee and a conversation with him?”

“He can’t have a goddamn coffee or conversation with you when you’ve got a restraining order out on him. And he certainly can’t do that when he’s hell-bent on killing himself!”

Icy chains shackle my heart. “What are you talking about?”

She sighs and it’s a weary, hollow sound. “This was his plan all along, Lucky. Expose his father, stepmother and shrink. Then find a way to end it all. Except you came along. You gave him hope! Probably even love. Am I right?”

I shudder in the face of the raw accusation.

“And now you’re withholding it.”

My eyes widen. “Please tell me you’re not finding some way to blame me for all of this?”

She shrugs. “Love comes with responsibility. Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re responsible for him. It’s your name he toasts to every time he gulps down a mouthful of whiskey, and trust me, he does that very often. It’s your name he screams out for in his sleep. You be the judge of what needs to be done. The jet will be at Vancouver International for the next twenty-four hours. I’ll leave your name with the crew. If you’re not there by midday tomorrow, it’ll take off.”

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