47

"Me? A bait? That's not going to happen." Loretta thundered and was about to walk out on them when Fabian held her back.

"Don't touch me. I thought we'd established that." Loretta seethed.

"Then why did you hug me at the hospital?"

"I needed it, and you were the closest person, or would you have preferred I hugged Mikel?"

"Listen to me, Retta. The only way we can protect you is by doing this."

"The only way to protect me is by letting me go back to my father. That way, whoever you've offended would know I'm no longer in your life."

"I can't do that."

"Why?" Loretta queried, searching his face, but he wouldn't say. Loretta could see the effort he was making to hold himself back.

Why did he want her so bad? It was clear it had nothing to do with the debt her father owed. But what? Mere admiration? It had to be more than that.

"Forget I asked." The brown-haired lady murmured and ran inside, shutting the door behind her.

She picked up the phone Fabian had gotten her and began to play