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He’d fallen hard for the woman--that’s why For some inexplicable reason, he wanted her for his own, despite the fact she was huainst all that he stood for He took a deep ragged breath, trying to focus on the business at hand He had every intention of locating the gray tonight, assuured that as badly as the gray had the hots for Tessa, there was no persuading hiarou wanted her for a ray would try to change her If she didn’t go with hily, he would ray wouldn’t get the chance

Moveht his attention He peered into the dark and saw a rifle poised in his direction and the bastard holding it But as soon as Ashton Wellington realized Hunter had spied hied toward him, his teet rid of Ashton was to ensure he could tangle with the gray, wolf to wolf, without witnesses But as angry as he ith Ashton concerning Tessa, he couldn’t control the urge to put the sheriff’s son out of his h his face had turned as pale as the sno falling

"Didn’t I tell you to stay away frolower

Ashton shivered, and Hunter figured it was due in part to the cold, in part because of his threatening posture

"I promised Michael I would watch out for his sister, damn it I already told you that"

Hunter balled up his fist and punched Ashton in the jaw Pain streaked through his knuckles Ashton fell back against a pine tree with a grunt

"That’s for atteain

Ashton dropped his rifle in the accu snow and held up his hands in subry I know it doesn’t excuse my behavior Michael has been the only friend I’ve ever had and when his sister told et lost and leave her brother alone because I was a bad influence, sorabbed the rifle, intending to send it over the cliff, but Ashton yelled, "Wait! Hear ht you were so riled, but soave ht, but I told him Michael wantedto do it, damn it I owe her for the way I behaved, and I owe Michael"

He sounded sincere enough, but the guy was always in trouble, according to Tessa Why couldn’t he be lying?

"What about your seeing Michael’s girlfriend, Bethany Wade? If you’re such a good friend of Michael’s, ould you do that?"

Ashton’s face darkened "You don’t know the half of it, Hunter Why did you have to bring that up to ht to come clean with me, before I throw your worthless carcass off this cliff"

Ashton looked like he was ready to pee his pants Despite trying to put on a tough guy act, the smell of fear cloaked hiht The one when I was so drunk I’d been feeling sorry for myself because Michael had a talent I didn’t have, and he was so successful His painting had nothing to do withall his accolades during the showing, I drank too much After Tessa beaned me with the shovel, I finally came to my senses, somewhat"

He took a deep breath "I went to see Bethany, although I halfway suspected she would be at the art gallery with Michael Hell, Tessa was supposed to be, too, but she had stayed hoave , too She felt like I did Michael had a new circle of friends, and we didn’t fit into his new lifestyle She hated all the woreat artist His works were beginning to appear all over the states at , he wouldn’t have tiirlfriend and--"

Ashton’s shoulders slumped "At first, it was because ere e, I’ll admit But we beca in love Michael was spending more time with his artwork and exhibits and less tirowled, "He was your best friend! You could have had the balls to square it with him first"

"Yeah, and lose his friendship?" Ashton shoved his gloved hands in his pockets "After Bethany died--"

"You’re trying to tell me you didn’t kill her over a lover’s spat and frame Michael for it?"

"Shit, Hunter I didn’t kill Bethany I figured Michael had done it Sure, I had been seeing Bethany behind his back just like he said, only he didn’t knoho it was We’d been supercautious so no one could ever prove it I figured hesomeone else Who else would have killed Bethany?"

Hunter shoved the rifle into Ashton’s chest "I don’t want you coht I won’t warn you again"

Ashton rubbed his jaw, his blue eyes piercing Hunter with a frigid glower "I pro le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>