Page 175 of In Love with a Ruthless Man

No.

Oh God.

NO.

But he knew no matter how hard he wished, the truth wouldn’t go away.

There was no longer any hope in her eyes.

And she was no longer whole.

“I’m sorry.”

He had failed.

“I’m s-so sorry.”

Grant fell to his knees next to her bed. “I’m s-so sorry.” He took hold of her hands, and his blood ran cold at how hard her body was shaking. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh G-Grant.” And still she laughed, still she cried. “I’m scared. I’m s-scared if I stop—-” She raised terror-crazed eyes to Grant. “I don’t t-think I know how to breathe w-without him, Grant. I r-really don’t think I can, and isn’t t-thatcrazy?”

More laughter.

More tears.

It was the most painful sound Grant had ever heard in his entire life—-

And so it was, too, for the prince.

Standing outside the room, the sound reached him, flayed him alive, burned him blind, and he slowly stumbled, his strength disappearing at his inability to reach out to the woman he knew he would always, always love.

My Fawn.

My angel.

My love.

But he knew it was better this way, knew that for as long as he believed it was his destiny to be the Prince of Darkness—-

So was it his destiny to love her from a distance.

“THANK YOU FOR AGREEINGto speak with me, Ms. Cornwall.”

The young woman on the hospital bed nodded. “Thank you for agreeing with my request, too.”

30-year-old Fredericka Spears took her time studying her star witness. According to her files, Fawn Cornwall was a straight-A student her entire life and had never been cited for a single misdemeanor either in or out of school. She had also been able to split her time effectively between the academic demands of her scholarship, part-time jobs, and all the responsibilities that came with being the girlfriend of politician’s son Grant Bennett.

A good girl in every sense of the word, Fredericka pondered, but all it had taken was one mistake – one that took the form of a six-foot-plus half-Greek playboy infamously known as thePrince of Darkness– and the descent to hell of Fawn’s life had been inevitable.

And yet, here this girl was, face bandaged, body beaten black and blue, but instead of blaming the man who was the reason behind her involvement in Fredericka’s high-profile case—-

Fawn was asking for something that was forthat man’s sake.

Clearing her throat, Fredericka said finally, “I’ve spoken with my clients, and they’ve given me their permission to speak with you about your request.”

Fawn unconsciously gripped the edges of her bed covers. “A-and?”

“First of all, I’d like you to know that what you’ve requested has no bearing on my case. Or if it does, then I’m unfortunately certain it’s only going to make things more sensational, and that’s a good thing for my clients.” Fredericka paused. “Which is why...I’d like to speak with you, one woman to another.”

---