Page 22 of Perfect Pursuit

“Tell me,” I demand.

Before she can utter a word, the door is flung open behind us and my sister’s voice is broken when it rings out authoritatively, “Fallon, I’ll handle explanations.”

Fallon tries to shift away, but my hand captures hers. With a look, I pin her to my side, pleading with her not to leave me. Not now. Not when I’m so terrified at what Paige is about to say. Indecision is written all over her face until I verbalize my request in a tortured whisper, “I need you.”

Pain and a swirl of other emotions flit across her face. But remains still, holding her stance. Just having her this close gives me a strength I didn’t know I needed as my sister delivers more devastating news. “Austyn’s safe, but the baby she was carrying is gone.”

There’s a keening wail of pain from Fallon. Still, it’s the verbal echo of what’s in everyone’s hearts at that moment.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Sometimes, shock drives you to destinations you never believe you’d visit.

—The Fireside Psychologist

Fate has a way of trying to ruin the best of men. Of tempting them beyond the bounds of propriety.

I know this because in the next few days, I find myself again alone with Fallon in the family waiting room. Part of me wants to lash out at her for not sharing Austyn’s condition and the other part of me knows I have no right. I have no right to know what Austyn didn’t want shared and I have no right to argue that Fallon should have told me.

None.

The problem is, there’s what my head thinks and what my heart feels. One understands and the other thinks she’s guilty as sin for not talking to me.

She’s bleary eyed, looking as if nothing will soothe the pain coursing through her soul. It’s like looking into a mirror because I know exactly what will help her because it’s what will help me.

Just then, she glances in my direction and for the first time since I walked in, I capture and hold her gaze. It’s the first time I’ve really seen her since that day in her dorm room over a year ago. I catalog all the little differences—how her hair has been cut differently, how her hips curve slightly different. There’s no makeup on her naturally dark lashes, framing gorgeous indigo eyes. I wonder if her lip, swollen from repeatedly being chewed on, will look the same if I kiss it. Or would it take a night of my lips on it?

Fucking hell. I turn hard as a rock, even as guilt claws at my insides for the inappropriateness of my reaction to her at a time like this.

The waiting room suddenly feels like the air is being sucked out, leaving nothing but the allure pulsing between us. I clear my throat to break the heavy silence. “Fallon, we should talk.”

Her eyes don’t waver from mine. “About?”

“Us.”

Her bark of laughter, which should hold a peal of amusement, is devoid of that rich emotion. “Us? What us could you be referring to, Uncle E?”

I surge to my feet. Taking the few steps to place myself directly in front of her boot clad feet, I snarl, “I’m not your damn uncle. Let’s get that straight once and for all. You’re…”

“What?”

“Special, Fallon.”

Instead of being intimidated by me, Fallon tips her head back before her lips twist in a sneer. “Actions speak louder than words.”

My eyes narrow now that I’ve revealed a mere portion of what I’m feeling. She mocks, “Ethan, if I’m special, then you can keep your brand of it for the rest of Seven Virtues when—when, not if—you hit on them.”

“What in the fuck are you talking about, Fallon?” My temper flares.

Her eyes are cold. “If you think this is treating me—or any woman—like they’re special, you need to up your game. We’re not in a committed…anything. Thank God. Otherwise, I’d have no problem shoving your balls down your throat so you choked on them when I forced you to swallow them.”

“I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“Do you remember what you told me and Austyn about social media?”

“What the hell does that have to do with this?” With us? The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I leave them unsaid.

“For someone good at dishing out the advice, you might want to follow it.”

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