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Logan took his gaze frolance rife with hatred “If you laid one filthy finger on her—”
“My God,” Andrew said, shaking his head, “you can't possibly think I' your wife—or any wo matters to worry about Besides, she wouldn't tolerate my advances She's not like Olivia”
“I'll kill you if I ever find you alone with her again”
“You're a bigger fool than I a head “I didn't think it possible, but you are You've actually found a woh I can't fathom hohy, and you have no damn idea of how to react”
Logan regarded him icily “You're drunk, Andrew”
“Of course I a myself to tell the truth”
“I'll be damned if I'll discuss my ith you”
“You're dae to drive away everyone who cares about you The Drakes are solitary creatures We destroy anyone who dares to get too close We have contempt for the poor idiots who try to love us It happened to yournow to your wife”
Logan stared at his half brother in stunned silence Denial seethed inside him “I'm not like him,” he said in a rahisper
“How many people have you sacrificed because of your ath until they drifted away? You've convinced yourself that you're more comfortable alone Life is damned safe and convenient that way, isn't it? You've been cursed with an a autonomy, Jimmy—just like Rochester and an's eyes “Do you want to hear soe? She asked me to help you”
“Help an heard himself ask incredulously “I'm not the one who needs help”
“That's a debatable point,” Andrewto produce a s, brother…I'ht consider going to your wife and begging her not to leave you”
Fifteen
Logan wandered to his private suite in a daze, feeling as if his safe, comfortable world had been turned upside down There had been toofatherhood, the discovery that he was Rochester's bastard, Andrew's death and subsequent reappearance Nothing but such an onslaught would have been able to break his defenses In thehad reenerous, affectionate, resilient, showing him in every way possible that she loved him
He needed her, but he could hardly bear to admit it, even to himself Madeline would have to content herself hat he could give, and not ask forhis reserves of weary deter on the edge of the mattress, her small hand clasped to her stomach The odd expression on her face made his heart lurch in sudden panic
“What is it?” he asked, co to her swiftly
“I felt the baby move,” she said in wonder
Startled, Logan could only stand and stare at her His fingers twitched at his side, and suddenly he wanted badly to touch her, to feel thewithin her The effort of holding back caused a treh him, a barely perceptible shiver
The softness left Madeline's face, and she rose from the bed She went to the armoire, and it was then that he saw the valise she had pulled from the lower shelf
“What is that for?” he asked sharply
Her voice was taut and low “I've decided I don't want to live here anymore”
Incredulous anger surged through hi softness “You don't have a choice, madam”
“Yes, I do Unless you physically restrainme here”
“I had no idea this was so unpleasant for you,” he said, gesturing to their luxurious surroundings “If you haven't been happy, you've given a da imitation”
“You see me happy and loves, an ar the articles into the valise “Obviously I've been a terrible inconvenience to you However, once I learn to stop loving you, everything will be much easier for both of us”
Logan strode to her and stood in front of the arruffly, “I shouldn't have snapped at you earlier I orried about you Now set that thing aside and come to bed”
She shook her head, her eyes prickling with ian You'll never stop punishinghurt you You wait for every opportunity to show lance—you've h I ade Now all I want is to get away from you and find some peace”
Her quiet stubbornness infuriated hi anywhere” He took hold of her shoulders and was shocked to feel the quick sting of her hand on his cheek She had slapped him
“Let go ofat him
It was as unexpected as being bitten by a butterfly Bewildered, outraged, Logan bent his head to kiss her, trying to soften her the only way he kne Instead of offering her usual sweet response, she was stiff in his arms, her mouth cold beneath his For the first time he discovered the streak of iron that Madeline hadn't revealed until now Staring at the ser before him, he let his hands fall away
“What the hell do you want frohly
“I would like the answers to a few questions” Her amber eyes searched his “Was it true, what you said this afternoon? That ?”
He felt his face darken with a flush “I was angry with you for putting yourself in danger”
“Did you marry me only because of the baby?” she persisted
Logan felt as if she were syste his foundations with the intention ofhim crumble “Yes, I…no I still wanted you”
“And still loved me?” she half-whispered
Logan scrubbed his hands through his hair until it was in wild disarray “Dammit, I won't discuss this”
“All right” Cal
Logan noring the way she stiffened He breathed in her scent, rubbing his mouth at the nape of her neck His raw voice washair “I don't want to lose you, Maddy”