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That caramel-smooth voice set off a thunder froht up so fast the roo both her fathers, she took in thehesitantly in the doorway, too uncertain to come all the way into the room

Tony!

He looked like hell His jaollen and a purple shadow darkened his right cheek His thick brown hair was tousled as if he’d spent the evening in a wind tunnel, and his black T-shirt was on inside out

Daeous

The heart monitor went even crazier

Henry’s spine went rigid “We will always appreciate your saving our Sylvie tonight” he said stiffly to Tony “But you’re not welcome here”

Tony’s shoulders slumped, but he pushed forward a half step into the room “I understand, but if I could just have a minute”

Slowly regaining her equilibrium, Sylvie took in the protective wall her fathers made on her behalf No doubt about it, they loved her But she was done with using them as an excuse to hide herself from the world From the heartache of rejection If this was the last ti to face it head-on, painful though it may be

Tony’s jaw clenched, and he sent her a pleading glance

She opened hercame out

“Never hed and started to back out of the doorway

“No” The word rushed out in a whoosh “Stay Please”

“Are you sure, bulldog?” Henry squeezed her hand

Her heart too far up in her throat to speak, so she nodded

“We’ll be out in the hall” Anton brushed his hand across her back and delivered a swift kiss to her cheek “If you need anything, just call out”