Chapter 36

Godric caught Emily a second before she hit the floor. He cradled her to his chest, savoring the feel of her in his arms, then chastised himself for doing so.

Her escape had proven her intentions well enough. Her whispered words of love were nothing more than lies, a clever ruse to lower his guard.

He retrieved Emily's small cloth bag where she'd set it down by the door. Her head lolled sideways, bumping into his chest. God, he was a fool.

He was even more a fool for threatening to return her. He knew what life awaited her theremarriage to Blankenship, a lifetime of misery. He wanted her to deserve that after what she'd done to him, but revenge seemed the farthest thing from his heart.

Emily needed to go. That was all. If she stayed, he'd do something he'd regret, like beg her to love him. He'd relive his boyhood all over again, seeking love, knowing it would never come. The self-loathing that coiled about him increased with every step as he finally opened the door and came out int