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‘Right’ Williae of decisiveness ‘Now’s the tio to ith him, Hart If it’s not too late already Charlie only knoin’

‘I knohat needs to be done,’ Miller states

I don’t like the sense of Willia behind me, nor the increased thump of Miller’s heartbeat under o there’

Glancing over my shoulder to him, I find sheer refusal on Willia eyes back to Miller, and though he knows da at him in confusion, he doesn’t tear his cool io all sentimental on me, Anderson I can see no other way’

‘I’ll think of one’ Williaust ‘You’re thinking the i is i lasses ‘I never thought solasses with scotch ‘I never even thought about it because ants to consider the ilasses over to William ‘Who wants to dream about what they can’t have?’

I can see with perfect clarity that Miller’s words are striking an e of his fingers around his glass say so

A relationship with Gracie Taylor was impossible

‘I didn’t think there was sooes on ‘I didn’t think there was so swig of his drink, keeping his eyes on Willia with his glass ‘Then I found Olivia Taylor’

My heart leaps inhis drink and sing hard ‘Is that so?’ he asks He’s on the defence

‘That’s so’ Miller raises his glass to William and finishes his drink It’s the most sarcastic toast in the history of toasts, because he knohat Willia he wishes he could turn back ti that has happened has led rets, rets, htus, it’s ulti else that’s not i a thrill frorets He points a blind finger in my direction ‘Fatherhood I have no fear because no matter how fucked up I aenes will pass down to my flesh and blood, I know Olivia’s beautiful soul will eclipse it’ He looks across at me and steals my breath with his sincerity ‘Our child will be as perfect as she is,’ he whispers ‘Soon I’ll have two bright beautiful lights in my world, and it’s my job to protect them So, Anderson –’ his face hardens and he returns his attention to a silent Willia on the immoral bastard alone?’

I wait, full of apprehension, for William’s answer He looks just as taken aback by Miller’s little speech as I’hs heavily, pushing his glass towards Miller ‘I’ need it’

I catch the bar to steady ives a sharp nod of respect before pouring William some more scotch, which he knocks back just as fast as the first They’ve both fallen into business , and I know Miller won’t want me to either, so I step forward to excuseto use the toilet’

Bothmy desire to re with Charlie’ I refuse to letforward to brush my hair off my face ‘Just wait here for two minutes while I make a call Then I’ll take you down tobastard! He knows I don’t want to be alone with William, and the resistance it takes not to run after Miller nearly floors , and my restless heart has set off on another nervous skip

‘Sit down, Olivia,’ Willia to a stool next to hi co Two minutes, Miller said I hope he means it Thirty seconds have passed already Another ninety, that’s all It’sas much confidence as I can oes to speak, but I shut him doithfirh I don’t want to know about their plans to deal with Charlie, I’d still rather talk about that than broach the subject of erous man’