Page 43 of Kiss of Fury

Delayed on the range and now on a belated lunch break, Fury decided to pop in and see Verity at the infirmary. “Do you know where she went?”

“She mentioned going to the mercantile.”

“Okay, thanks,” he said and went to the co-op.

“She left about forty-five minutes ago. She said she was going to find a book to read,” Honoria said.

At first glance, the library appeared vacant; even the librarian who manned the information desk was gone. He started to leave when he spotted Verity at an out-of-the-way cubicle. Warmth filled his chest as it always did when he gazed at his wife. With a lightness in his step, he strode toward her.

“Surprise!” He touched her shoulder.

She jerked as if electrified and leaped out of the chair. His gaze riveted on the screen.Cyborg Assassinsat Large, screamed the headline beneath his image and Steel’s.

“Verity…”

“Stay away from me! Don’t come any closer.” Backing away, she tore off the headphones she wore.

“Please…” He stretched out his arm.

“Stay away!” The headphones bounced off his chest.

“I can explain. It’s not what you think.”

“Explain what? You’re not a cyborg? You’re not a mass murderer?” Her gaze darted to the vacant information desk.

“It’s not like that,” he pleaded.

“Are you a cyborg?” she demanded.

He swallowed hard. He couldn’t lie to her anymore, nor was it even possible with his likeness plastered on the screen. The picture made him look menacing. “Yes.”

She flinched. “Did you kill people?”

His stomach roiled. “Yes, but—”

“There is no yes-but.”

“They were criminals, terrorists, cartel leaders—”

“Was the mayor of Chicago a cartel leader or terrorist?”

She was a corrupt politician who’d run afoul of the political ruling party who’d put her in office. When she refused to step down, the party sought out an alternativesolution. “Steel and I weren’t involved. We didn’t kill her. It’s a total lie.” Solutions had made him and Steel the scapegoats for the company’s crime.

“They said you did.”

“They lied.” He inched toward her. This was a disaster, a nightmare! How could he convince her he was the same man he’d been an hour ago? That he’d never hurt her or Brody?

“Stay away from me. Don’t come back to the cabin. Do you hear me?” She fled, charging past the startled two-headed librarian who’d returned to her desk.

“Wait, please!” he shouted but did not pursue her. Chasing her would terrify her more. He’d never forget the fear and revulsion on her face.

“Shh!” The librarian glared.

* * * *

“She hates me. She’ll never forgive me.” Head in his hands, Fury slumped on Steel and Honoria’s sofa.

“What do you think she’ll do?” Steel asked in a low voice.

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