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Why had he convinced himself that things would be different with Pippi?

The phone rang for the fourth time, and Acheron could no longer help himself.

"Pippi."

Pippi nearly collapsed in relief even as the hollow tone of his voice made her feel cold. "Are you at the hotel?"

"Ne." Yes.

"Can I...can I come over?" She was expecting either a 'yes' or 'no', but instead she heard him curse under his breath, and it hurt. It just hurt so much she could barely think, and somehow all the words came tumbling out.

"It's Amelia, isn't it? She t-told you something."

"Pippi—-"

"She likes you, can't you see that? And that's why she's going to say whatever it takes—-"

"Stop it,"Acheron cut in furiously. "You don't know anything about her, so don't speak as if you do." Amelia had been batting for her, dammit, and here she was, accusing Amelia of sabotaging their relationship.

Pippi breathed hard, doing her best not to cry. "Acheron, please." She wasn't exactly sure what she was begging him for, but when she heard him speak -

"I'm sorry,"Acheron said tautly.

It seemed he knew, and now that she heard his words, she realized what it was she had been asking.

Please love me.

And he might as well have said he couldn't.



















Twenty-Four

SHE HAD BEEN WORKINGlike she was on auto-pilot for several days now, Gareth mused. And while as an employer, he had no cause for complaint - her work remained as flawless as always - he couldn't help feeling slightly concerned at the way she seemed to be pushing herself a little too hard.

It was as if she was running away from something, and work had become her panacea. That was no doubt good news for the company, but if she continued as she were, Ms. Jones would eventually run herself ragged and end up in the E.R. sometime soon.

A while later, he saw her rise from her seat and start swaying on her feet -