Page 73

CONAN

T he silence consumes me. She doesn’t know how to respond. That sparkle in her eyes has gone out. I fucking did that.

I look into her living room and see two red suitcases. She follows my line of vision.

“Me and Lily are taking a girls’ trip for a few days.” She says it flatly.

I look down at my feet. Fuck, I want to bawl my eyes out.

She has nothing to say to my declaration. But I won’t give up.

“Take my private jet. Anywhere you want. Please.”

With the Bowens’ threat still alive, I need her to be safe.

“Did you not hear me? I don’t want anything from you.”

She blinks at me, and her jaw twitches.

“For safety reasons. Nothing else. We own a resort in Barbados. It’s really cool. Right by the beach, a pool bar. And a safe location. The penthouse is always available for us. Just give them my name at check-in.”

She shakes her head as I place the gun that’s been burning a hole in my palm down on the side table.

“Please, Hallie. Trust me. I am listening to you, and I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. You know my lifestyle. That’s all you need to know.”

“This is fucking crazy,” she mutters under her breath.

That sassy spitfire side of her makes my heart flip.

“As crazy as you holding me at gunpoint?” I quip.

Her eyes light up, and I am on fire.

I’ve missed her. I need this woman like air to breathe. No. I need her more than that. I’m fucking dead inside without her.

“You’re stalking me. My dad always told me it’s okay to shoot in extreme circumstances.”

“Your dad was a clever man.”

Maybe she should have shot me to put me out of my damn misery.

“He was.”

I know this hurts her to talk about. I get it.

“So, is that a yes to using my jet?”

She rolls her eyes.

“I suppose so. I don’t particularly fancy being caught up in your manic life.”

Ouch.

“I told you. No matter what, you will always be protected.”

I clench my fist at my side to stop myself from reaching for her and tucking her hair behind her ear.

“How do I know where to go? And when? We were planning on heading to the airport tomorrow morning.”

I frown.

“You haven’t booked anything?”

“No. This is an impulsive decision for the goal of fun.”

That is not safe. Jesus.

“Finn will send you the details.”

She straightens her spine, a sadness creeping over her pretty face.

“What’s up?” I ask softly.

“Does Dr. Quinn not hate me for quitting on him?”

“No, Hallie. His anger is at me, not you.”

She blows out a shaky breath. I just want to hold her close and never let go.

“Okay. I’ll take you up on your offer. I’m sure Lily will enjoy the jet.”

I nod.

“And you won’t? It’s amazing. You’ll love it.”

She shrugs and looks away.

“I’m not sure what I even enjoy anymore.”

She pins me with a stare that’s filled with sadness. That same emptiness I feel.

“You will find it again.”

I hope it’s with me.

Giving her a smile is the best I can force myself to do when inside I am wrecked. I back away, trying not to look at the flowers now decorating the step.

“Have a good trip.”

She hugs herself and stays firmly in place.

I turn to walk away, but before I head to my car, I look back at her, still standing there, watching me go.

I don’t know what I expect her to do. Tell me not to go? That she’ll hear me out?

I know that’s not happening.

My life has never been a fairy tale. But I really fucking wish it was.