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“Stop” Slayde caught her elbows, dragging her close enough to see the tor you? I intend the Huntley naacy to keep the curse alive There will be only generations of greedyhell as they ransack the globe for the dia others to do the same But there will be no more Huntley prey upon which to feed”

Courtney gasped as she realized the implication of Slayde’s assertion “You’d do that to yourself? Live and die alone just to protect those who ht not seek such protection if they were asked?”

“Yes”

“What about Aurora? She’s a Huntley And, as you just said, you can’t chain her within Pembourne’s walls forever”

“I don’t intend to My goal for Aurora is to see her safely wed—to a ive her his name and his protection—after which she’ll cease to be a Huntley”

“So that’s what you meant when you said Aurora’s need for me is temporary”

Slayde nodded tersely “Soon Aurora will leave Pembourne, move on to her own life—one of security and freedom And wealth In addition to whatever affluence her future husband can and will provide, she’ll also inherit the entire Huntley estate”

“After you die,” Courtney qualified

“After I die,” he repeated

“Danited Courtney’s eyes “How can you speak of your life as if it were nothing stone for others? You’re a wonderful man You will not condemn yourself to a lifetiht never occur” She raised her chin a notch “I won’t let you”

“You won’t let—” Slayde broke off, staring in astonishment Whatever reaction he’d expected, it hadn’t been this Actually, now that he considered it, the reaction he’d expected, knowing how tender-hearted Courtney as aching coiven the intensity of their recent physical encounter, s between theress so far when there was virtually no hope for a future

Instead, she was renouncing his decision and vowing to resurrect his life, intent on saving him from himself

His autonomous heart yielded a bit more And his precarious resolve intensified

“Thank you,” hehis knuckles across Courtney’s cheek “I’m humbled No one has ever…” He cleared his throat “I’m also adamant about my vo entle forefinger to her lips “Don’t I won’t change h to bendeffort, he released her and walked away “I’ll be leaving Pe”

“Tomorrow?” Courtney sounded shaken, whether from his pronouncement or their discussion, Slayde wasn’t certain “But Mr Oridge is here,” she added