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Before she would have appreciated his deterht they had a viable relationship Now, she just wanted to be away from him so she could vent her devastation, but she was just as determined that she not break down in front of hier would she depend on Tate for her emotional stability Her faith and trust had been sorely ht hiht Yes, he’d put business before her for quite soht with peril and her safety was truly at risk In her heart, she’d always known that he’d protect her when it really counted

How very wrong she’d been, and it broke her heart

She kicked open the door that was still partially ajar froed her suitcase over the step and onto the front porch Tate tried one last tirip wasn’t bruising in the least, it was fir her attention

She stared pointedly at hio

"Chessy, please don’t do this," he begged softly "Stay Tonight at least We’ll talk in the o away if you like Somewhere we can be afforded coo"

"It’s too late for that Going aon’t fix what’s wrong It only delays the inevitable I can’t force you to make me your priority and further for ht proved that"

"If the truth wins out in the end then I’ll get you back," Tate vowed "Because the truth is I love you and that’s never going away I’ll do whatever it takes to have you back ho up and I’e"

"You already left our ed her suitcase to her Mercedes and threw it in the backseat She didn’t look back at Tate She forced herself to open her door, slide into the driver’s seat and drive away But as she drove away, she couldn’t help but glimpse in her rearview ht as he watched her drive away

NINETEEN

CHESSY had no clear destination in hborhood There were three options available to her She could check into a hotel, go to Joss’s or go to Kylie’s

She instantly vetoed the hotel because the very last thing she wanted was to be alone Which left either going to Joss’s or Kylie’s In the end she decided on Kylie because Kylie was closer and Joss was pregnant Chessy didn’t want to cause Joss undue stress, nor did she want to keep her up all night Besides, Joss couldn’t drink and Kylie could and right now a stiff drink was definitely in order

She pulled into Jensen’s driveway and parked beside Kylie’s car She sat there a hts It hit her all at once She’d walked out on Tate She’d left hiathered in her eyes but she gulped in air and sed convulsively Then she braced herself and got out of her car She hauled out her bags and walked up the pathway to the front door She hadn’t even rung the doorbell when the door opened and Jensen filled the doorway, his expression one of concern Then he took in her suitcase

"Shit," heto kill him"

She promptly burst into tears and Jensen ie and closing the door behind her