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Sure, she knew that was true, but not Bernie He’d never do this to her But the tightness in Rhett’s voice told her one thing for certain “You actually think he’s involved?”

Rhett hesitated then sighed heavily “That’s what I’ to find out when I leave here and question hi it hard to believe that he’d have any part in hurting you, but I don’t doubt the source”

She didn’t have to see his face clearly to grasp his led closer, running her toes against his leg “I guess every question I’ve got right now, you won’t have an answer to”

He gathered her closer and kissed her forehead “Believe , you’ll know it”

She nuzzled into his neck, eo of her answerless questions, and the nightht had haunted her Now even ”

“What’s that?”

“I’ to close the bar until this is all over”

His sigh tickled her forehead “Asto this prick’s force, until we understand what’s going on, I agree that’s a wise choice It’s not safe for you or your e around her “But let’s figure that out in theafter we talk with Bernie”

Her mind raced “Should I—”

“Kinsley,” Rhett interjected, his voice tired

She shut herup with her father He needed normalcy and quiet, not questions And her heart fluttered with the knowledge that Rhett had come to her, not a bar for a drink, and not another bed Her She pressed a soft kiss to his neck, shutting her eyes and leaning into him

Silence drifted between thean to doze off, he asked, “Are you afraid of beco a mother?”

It took her a minute to truly believe he’d asked that Rhett wasn’t deep He didn’t do e where he was going with this

“Why?” he asked

She leaned away and caught the shadowy outline of his cheekbone “I don’t want to become my mother”