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Tiffany’s blue eyes sith horror as the toazes

"I can’t believe you did that," the blonde whi her palm to her red cheek

Mia was relieved to see that she hadn’t drawn blood, but she knew Tiffany would have a hell of a bruise on her cheekbone to Which only set off another rush of shame that almost knocked her off her feet Jackson iainst his solid frame, still stunned by what she’d done

"I’azed io?"

Without another word, husband and wife stalked off toward the red pickup parked several yards away

As an engine roared to life, Mia peered up at Jackson in pure misery "I’m sorry," she whispered "I can’t believe I hit her"

His chest heaved "She provoked you," he said gruffly

"That’s no excuse" An anguished moan slid out "Oh fk, I’m a terrible person I hit her, Jackson"

Tears filled her eyes, then spilled over and streamed down her cheeks in hot, salty rivulets She felt so ashamed she couldn’t even breathe

And she was scared Honest-to-God scared

Because deep down, Mia knew the provocation that led to her punching Tiffany hadn’t been the wo of Jackson

She’d called hi she believed their past relationship had been wrong

The wo like there was so-acceptable In thatliar, to punish her for having the nerve to i other than the extraordinary and honorable man he truly was

And in that moment, Mia had realized just how much she cared about Jackson So deeply that she’d assaulted someone for him

Somehow, over these last threeit

And that was the o ho away the tears staining her face

She nodded weakly, allowing him to take her hand and lead her to his father’s truck

The drive back to the Double R was a quiet one Mia battled tears the whole ti in her belly