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'I cared,' he said through his teeth, and tried to take hold of her again

'Oh, sure you did!' Sianhis hands away 'Don't try to touch et up for a week!'

He eyed her ominously 'Don't threaten me, Sian'

'Then stay away from me!'

'I just want to tell you the truth!'

'The truth? You?' She laughed and his broitched together, black and heavy

'Yes, damn you! The truth! Do you think I was flattered when I realised you thought I was a hit-and-run driver?' His voice seared her, harsh and burning with sudden rage She flinched away, frowning

'You had an option! You could have told me I'd made a mistake!'

'At first I was too shaken Insulted, incredulous—not to ry as hell It all happened too fast, then you went off to hospital with Piers and I talked to Magda and realised she'd deliberately run you off the road I didn't knohat to do, but I was afraid of the police coht push he

r right over the edge Her grasp on reality isn't too strong' He paused, hesitating 'And she's my little sister,' he added flatly 'I have to take care of her, whatever she's done'

Sian understood that, and couldn't think of anything to say in response After all, he hardly knew her—but Magda was his sister! Of course he had chosen to defend Magda, however much he hurt her

'Then why have you toldit was you?'

'Magda has to face up to what she did; she has to ad like that again—even worse, maybe! She can't be allowed to think she has some sort of immunity, can do as she likes' He sounded stern, re the truth, then, had nothing to do with her; he was still concerned only with his sister

'I still don't think you realise what ht have happened!' she accused, and he looked down at her, his eyes brilliant with anger

'Of course I realise! Whenever I think that you could have been killed I feel sick…'