She saw red. “You don’t have to tolerate anything. I’m leaving, first thing in the morning. We won’t be your concern anymore.”
His nostrils flared; his gaze narrowed. “Someone needs to be concerned about you. You’re acting like an irresponsible fool.”
Perrie shoved away from him, suddenly unable to breathe in the swirl of emotions clogging the air. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then tell me. Why are you running? What has he done to you? Why are you afraid?”
Mitch watched the war rage inside her, watched her defenses go up, her arms crossing over her chest, hugging her damn secrets closer than ever. He wanted to grab her, to shake loose the truth that stood between them.
He wanted to hold her, to tell her that he would protect her forever. That he’d be the prince who would ride to her rescue.
But he couldn’t do that. He didn’t know the first thing about love. He was alone, and that was how it had to be. Too many people he loved had suffered before. He didn’t want to feel anything, damn it. Why wouldn’t she leave him in peace?
Why couldn’t he forget? Just let them go?
He couldn’t need her. Couldn’t let her widen the cracks.
But it was too late. She already had.
The tempest inside him boiled higher. Mitch had to get out of here before he lost the last hope of control. Outside. They needed more wood.
Whirling away, he grabbed for his coat, and a white scrap fell out of his pocket.
The letter. Perrie’s letter.
He leaned down and picked it off the floor, holding it out to her. “Here—this came for you.”
Perrie shook her head and looked at it like it was poison. “For me?”
“Yeah—came general delivery. I stuck it in my pocket and forgot about it when Davey—” He shoved it at her again.
For the longest time, she stood there, emotions chasing across her face. Finally, she reached out slowly and took it. She didn’t open it, simply stared at the writing on the front.
Then, as if she was waking from a dream, she slit it open, pulled out the paper inside and read.
And went pale as a ghost, swaying on her feet.
Mitch crossed to her quickly. “What is it?”
Perrie shook her head and stepped away, staring into the fire, the letter dangling from her hand.
“What’s wrong? Damn it, Perrie, answer me.”
Mutely, she handed him the letter. Mitch took it and scanned the contents quickly.
Perrie—
Your letter worked. Mr. Matheson has been indicted. The district attorney needs to talk to you to make their case. It’s your chance to put him away for a good long time. If you don’t, he’ll walk and you’ll never be free of him.
Come back to Boston and finish this.
Your friend,
Elias
“Who’s Elias?” he asked.
“My ex-husband’s gardener.”
“What does he mean, your letter worked? What’s the indictment about?”
Perrie couldn’t face him, her mind locking down. Go back to Boston. Into the serpent’s den.
She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t take Davey back into Simon’s reach.
But if she didn’t, she’d never be free.
“Come on, Perrie, trust me.”
Oh, how she wanted to do that, wanted his help in sorting out what she should do. Her thoughts tumbled over one another as she searched for an answer.
“Simon—” She choked on her explanation. How could Mitch possibly understand what a fool she’d been? How weak not to break away years before?
You can break away now, Perrie. Take one step and tell Mitch.
But he would despise her for being a coward. Such a strong man could never understand.
She wanted to tell him—badly. But how could she drag him into this?
“I have to leave, Mitch.”
“To testify?”
“I can’t.” Her chest felt tight. “I—”
“Why not?”
She looked up at him, whispering her disgrace. “I’m afraid to go back.”
“Why? What’s he done?”
“What hasn’t he done?” She laughed bitterly. “My ex-husband is a very rich man, but his family’s wealth was never enough. He wanted more. He’s laundered money for drug dealers, he’s been involved in gambling—I don’t know all that he’s done.”
She whirled. She couldn’t face him. “Except that when I first tried to break out of the prison he’d built around me, the bodyguard who helped me mysteriously turned up dead. I can’t prove that he murdered Billy, but I know he did.”
“Prison?” His eyes went dark and angry. “What do you mean?”
Perrie looked at the floor. “I’m ashamed to tell you.”