Page 90 of The Texan's Secrets

“Nick, what is—”

“Please, just let me talk.” He had to say his piece.

“But—”

“Please,” he implored.

She compressed her lips. “Okay. Go ahead.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “More sorry than you can even imagine. Believe me, if I could start over again, I would. I didn’t mean for any of it to happen this way.” He regrouped, ordering himself to take responsibility for his own actions. “I mean, obviously, the whole thing was under my control. I lied to you. Yes, it was an omission, but that’s just another name for a lie.”

Her lips were pursed now, her gaze narrowed. It was hard to tell her anger from confusion.

“I know there’s no future for us, and I’m as sorry as I can be about that.” He wanted to reach out and touch her. He wanted to kiss her. He was desperate to pull her into his arms. He curled his hands to keep them still.

“I’ll stay out of your life,” he said instead. “And I’ll give you and Misha space. You deserve the break to be clean.” He paused. “Not that it makes any difference to you, but I’m through pretending. Starting tonight, I’ll walk with my head held high. I don’t regret what I did. I only regret that it hurt you.”

She looked very hurt right now. She also looked very vulnerable.

He couldn’t stand to see what he’d done.

“Goodbye, Emilia. I wish it could have been different.” He took a step back.

“Nick—” she called out.

But he was already turning away, walking fast, increasing his strides, heading for the exit.

Emilia watched Nick walk away, her heart sinking and a ball of lead forming in her stomach.

Whathad just happened? Why was he apologizing? Was it his odd way of ending their relationship?

She took a step to go after him, thinking maybe they could salvage something. But she stopped herself. He’d made it plain. The breakup had been strangely worded. But it was clear that whatever they’d had was done now.

Her eyes stung with unshed tears, and she swallowed a huge lump of sorrow.

“Emilia?” Misha appeared beside her.

Emilia couldn’t speak.

“I don’t blame you if you blame me,” Misha said.

Emilia’s confusion multiplied. She blinked hard to keep the tears at bay. The last thing she’d do was make a scene at Maggie’s wedding reception.

“It was my idea,” Misha said, sounding hugely regretful. “I convinced my brother to go undercover. We were only after information on how the Surprise Me! function was working. He was gathering data. We never thought—”

“Who’s your brother?” Emilia managed, although her voice came out sounding strangled.

Misha drew back in obvious astonishment. Then she reached for Emilia’s hand. “It’s Nico. He didn’t tell you that part?”

“Nico?” The pieces fell into place inside Emilia’s head. “Nick isNico? Nick is your brother, Nico Law?” And he wasundercover?

Now Misha looked stricken. “I thought you knew.”

“How would I know?”

“You said you knew. You said he took you home to his place.”

“What does his place have to do with it?” Emilia’s heart squeezed at the memory of their glorious lovemaking. “He didn’t tell me his real name. He sure didn’t tell me he was your brother.”

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