Page 3 of The Billionaire's Bride

"Is that enough for you? Surviving?"

"I did a good job of it, thanks to Baron."

"Baron?" I draw in a breath, trying to figure out how she knows about him. I asked him not to contact her. "Did he look after you while I was gone?"

She tips up her chin. "I don't need a man to take care of me."

"Too bad," I set my jaw, "I did what I thought was best in the circumstances."

"Best for you or for me?"

"Best for all three of us."

She laughs, "You have no idea what you are talking about."

"Don’t I?" My legs tremble; the dull thud of pain in my side ratchets up. Damn it, I can’t afford to be weak. Not when I have to get back on my feet as soon as possible. It’s the only way I can show her that I am worth forgiving. Sweat beads my forehead.Stay on your feet, don’t you dare collapse on the bed.

"I knew I couldn’t leave you unprotected, and I didn’t trust anyone else to take care of you."

"Except Baron?"

"Except Baron."

"He got there in time that day. If it weren’t for him reaching me, I… I’d have—" Her chin trembles. Tears gleam in her eyes.

A hot sensation stabs at my chest. I close the distance between us, wrap my free arm around her " Don't cry, Eve." I tuck her head under my chin. The scent of jasmine laced with that lush womanly scent of hers, fills my lungs. I am instantly hard.Shit.I am trying to comfort her, yet being this close to her is sheer torture.

"Why did you do it, Ed? Why did you send him to me?"

I stiffen. "Did he hurt you, Eve? Did he do something to upset you?"

She rubs her cheek against the rough hospital gown. "The only person who’s hurt me here is you."

I squeeze my eyes shut. "Don’t say that, Ava."

"It’s true, though." She pushes against me, but I hold her close for just a second more before releasing her. She steps away, putting distance between us, and my gut twists.

"Eve," I frown at her, "what’s wrong?"

"Nothing." She twists her mouth. "Everything."

"What do you mean?"

"Just that," she folds her arms around her waist, "I am not the same woman you left behind."

"It’s only been two weeks."

"A lifetime."

I purse my lips. Who’d know that better than me? My life had changed in an instant when those bastards had abducted me. Seven lives…changed in the blink of an eye. We’d never been the same again. So yeah, I know what she’s talking about, but still… It hasn’t been that long. I drag my fingers through my hair, wince when every nerve in my body seems to protest. Shit, I must be more beat up than I’d realized. "So...what are you saying?"

"That, it’s best if we spend some time apart."

"No fucking way that’s happening." I take a step toward her and she skitters back. That stops me. "You afraid of me?"

"No." She shakes her head. "Of course, not."

I scowl, "Then why—"