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His head fell into his hands "Áine, I’m sorry How many times do you need to hear? I’ he’d warned me about happened I ran I couldn’t hurt you, but I didn’t trust you anyhter touched his voice "It’s a miracle the old man hasn’t killed me in my sleep"

"He wouldn’t do that to me You’re still my mate"

Murphy shook his head "Why?"

"What?"

"Haven’t you ever wondered why? You and me" He waved a hand between theo And it didn’t Don’t you wonder why?"

She pulled the sheet up to her shoulders "I don’t--"

"I’ve thought about it So hts When no woh No one could h or touch my heart And we both know I tried, don’t we?"

Anne felt her fangs drop, this ti to prove soet you, Anne Not because I didn’t love you, but because I loved you so damn much It didn’t matter None of it mattered"

She tipped her chin up "You did without me in the end Dublin is yours Your fortune is made No rival opposes you Isn’t that better? You did it on your own No one can take that victory froone Murphy’s face was as open as a boy’s

"But I didn’t want to do it on my own I never did"

"Patrick--"

"I had Tom and Dec and Josie I had Jack… at least I did then But mostly, I had you I never wanted to rule without you"

Anne shook her head, her heart broken open, her walls demolished by his words

"We’re ether" He crawled to her, drawing the silken sheet away "We were young and stupid Or at least I was I’m not any her cheeks between hands that had never grown soft His knuckles still carried the scars of his huhter’s hands His thuainst her cheek He brushed away an errant strand of dark hair that had fallen into her eyes

"Let me prove it to you"

"Patrick--"

"I want you back, Anne O’Dea"

Her mouth dropped Her heart beat once "Just like that?"