Page 46 of Kiss of Fury

Cyborgs were banned. At the very least, Mike would lose his sanctuary. She’d gotten accepted because she was his wife. Would she lose her asylum, too? There was a warrant out for her arrest. If she set foot on Earth, she’d be prosecuted for kidnapping, and Brody would be taken from her. And what about Honoria? Verity didn’t know the particulars of the other woman’s situation, but Steel would be ejected, and she might lose her asylum.

It’s such a mess.More than a mess, a tragedy. She hugged herself.Maybe I’m overreacting.Maybe there’s a good explanation.I didn’t hear his side.She choked. How could there be another side to this that would make it better?

Honoria had said Steel and Mike were good guys.But perhaps she doesn’t know the truth.

She had to talk to him. Get more information direct from the source.

But not tonight. I can’t handle any more tonight.A sudden wave of weariness wrought by grief, shock, and fear threatened to knock her over.Maybe an answer will come tomorrow.She gave a snort of bitter laughter.

She staggered to the bedroom, and, still clothed, tumbled onto the bed. Hugging Mike’s pillow to her chest, she sobbed.

Chapter Twenty

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Verity rose before the sun, eyelids swollen from weeping, body aching, heart heavy. She’d battled disturbing dreams all night long—the Dorns ripping Brody from her arms, being chased by an invisible menace. A couple of times, she’d awakened in a cold sweat, gasping for air, her pulse racing. The details of the dreams faded away, but the foreboding lingered.

The fitful night had given her no clear answers, no course of action, except for one.

She had to face him and hear him out. He might lie, offer up half-truths, attempt to minimize what he’d done, but she needed to get his side of the story for closure. God help her, she still loved him. She couldn’t afford to lead with emotion—she had to use her head. Hearing what he’d done in his own words might help her get over him, put the niggles of doubt to rest.

The connection they’d shared had seemed so special, but she’d been living in an imaginary world with rainbows and unicorns. He didn’t love her. A vicious killer didn’t have the capacity to love anyone.He’d married her to gain asylum to avoid being apprehended and brought to justice. Another man she’d believed cared for her had been using her. This was Kyle Dorn 2.0.

Yet her aching heart refused to give up and accept the hard reality, coming up with excuses, rationalizations. Like WLIE was the least trustworthy news source on planet Earth. How could she believe anything they said? Or the government. They railroaded people all the time.

She kept remembering all the sweet little things Mike had done. And the one big one—giving her a fair hearing after she’d sprung a child on him.

Failing to mention I have a child isn’t on the same level as killing people.

She would meet him with eyes wide open, not eyes wide shut. She wasn’t a woman willing to accept anything just to have a man. She could not envision an explanation making the facts acceptable. What could he say?I didn’t do it?None of it is true? He’d already admitted to some of it, so what was left to say?

Heartbroken and dejected, she rubbed her gritty eyes. The ordeal with the Dorns had been stressful and scary, but she hadn’t felt like she’d lost all hope like she did now.

Letting Brody sleep a little longer, she showered and changed into fresh clothes then went to wake him.Please don’t give me a hard time this morning. Please just be accommodating.Her son was a great kid, generally well-behaved, but occasionally she encountered pushback. Ironically, Mike could tell him something once, and Brody would obey without hesitation.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she rubbed his back. “Hey, buddy. It’s time to get up for school.”

He sat up and blinked bleary eyes. “Did Mike come home?”

“Not yet,” she answered, cursing her cowardice and the vain hope that everything would work out, and they’d be a happy family again.After school today, I’ll tell him.

“Get dressed, and let’s go to breakfast.” She stood up.

“But—”

“No buts. Get dressed.” She fled before he could ask any more questions.

She shot a quick message to Dr. Twygg that she would be late, figuring the convo with Mike would either be very quick or drawn out and emotional. Either way, she’d be in no condition to treat patients.She hated leaving the doctor in the lurch, but he’d managed before she came, so he’d find a way now. It had been slow lately anyway.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

A knocking outside startled her.Mike!She crept to the door, but her hand froze on the handle.Open it. At least he came to me, and I didn’t have to go hunting for him.

But she wasn’t ready! She needed more time to shore herself up for the confrontation. Besides, Brody was still here. No way should her son be privy to this conversation.

Rap. Rap. Rap.“Verity? It’s Honoria!”

She expelled a shaky breath and opened the door.

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