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He chuckles "Of course you did, darling We spent the day together I watched you blow out your candles I gave you a gift before I left Soave you"

I have to hold on to the edge of the bar to steady myself "James ith me that day, not you"

"Sorry, sweetie That was me James said no to the Admiral’s offer He was sent on his way that afternoon I spent the rest of the day with you Not hiht James had that notebook all these years He stole it back So he was there that night But this guy… this Vincent… he was the one I ith? I think

"Are you OK?"

I s hard and look over at the man who is not James What the hell am I supposed to feel about this? "I’m promised to you, not him?"

"Me," he says "Not hihts from the overhead canopy Candles flicker on the tables and the fire warms one side of my body, while the ocean spits up a spray that cools the other "What if I don’t want you? What if I want him?"

"He’s dead, darling"

"He’s not dead!" I screains to tre uncontrollably "He’s not dead!"

"He ht as well be He’s insane, and that is an indisputable fact Harper, listen to me Ask yourself this question Who the hell kills their own brother? A brother they were not even angry at A brother they loved and greith A brother who saved their life as many times as they saved his Their partner Who kills their partner?"

"He told ood reason"

"Why?" the man who looks like my James demands "Tell me why he did it, then"

I think of what James told irlfriend and baby He did it to keep the baby safe But if no one knows there’s another Coonna be the one to spill the beans "It’s private," I say

"It’s not private, Harper We know about the child And she’s going to be brought back into the fold Soon Once we settle who is in charge of things"

"I have no idea what you’re talking about" My face is devoid of emotion No expression at all I put on the best liar face I have