Wicked Ties(140)
speak to him again.
“Bet having Morgan with you pissed your father off.”
“You have no idea.” Brandon’s bitter smile spoke volumes. “Anyway, I was terrified
when I got orders to go to Iraq for a three-week assignment. I knew she was alone and
vulnerable. It even crossed my mind to call you, since you’re the best damn bodyguard in
the business.” He sighed. “But I couldn’t give you that sort of power over me. It never
occurred to me that you were waiting for me to get engaged to get your revenge.”
“For three years, yes. I wasn’t going to give up.”
“I don’t blame you,” Brandon admitted quietly. “I’m just glad that I only got as far as
a debriefing in D.C. before the trip was postponed. I hope we’re settled once and for all.”
“We are.” Jack sighed. “Thanks for the truth.”
Silence descended. Jack stared at Morgan hard—as if he could will her awake.
She never moved a muscle.
“Is she being sedated?”
“I’m assuming so. She was awake about ten minutes ago, but now…”
Tension and hope gripped Jack’s gut. “Did she say anything?”
“No. She just looked around, saw Deke and me, and shut her eyes again.”
She hadn’t asked for him. And why should she? Stupid to hope she would. From her
point of view, he’d lied, used her, exploited her. Why should she believe that he loved
her? And if she’d ever thought she loved him…well, his stunning conversation with
Brandon earlier today would have cured her of that.
Losing Morgan wasn’t anything less than he deserved. But the fierce urge to stave off
the reality fueled a furious denial. Knowing he’d never touch her again was like a sharp
gouge of pain knifing him right between the ribs.
“That’s for the best, I guess. She won’t feel any pain.”
“True.”
And she wouldn’t wake up right now. Even if she did, would she really want him
there?
No. She’d never want him near her again.
Jack shuffled his boot against the antiseptically clean floor, his chest crushingly tight.
“I should go. Tell her…”
What? What the hell could he say to make this any better? It would take a fucking
miracle to change her mind, and Jack didn’t think he had any such miracle coming to
him.
In the end, he settled on the simplest. “Tell her I’m sorry.”
Shoving clenched fists into his stiff jeans, Jack forced himself to turn away from
Morgan and walk out of her life.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Morgan paced across the hardwood floor of Brandon’s living room. The surface felt
cool beneath her bare feet, but didn’t soothe her searing thoughts.
“You’re going to wear out the floor, little sister.” She flipped a gaze at Brandon over
her shoulder.
“Doubtful.”
“Okay, then you’re going to wear yourself out. It’s barely been a week since you were
shot.”
“I’ve got to move around or I’m going to get stiff.” He sat back on the sofa, legs
spread, elbows propped across the back. “I might buy that if it looked like mere exercise.
This is nervous pacing. What’s eating at you?”
Morgan didn’t answer. Admitting the truth was too painful, made her look too stupid.
“Nothing,” she finally murmured.
Brandon rose to his feet, until he towered over her. He’d definitely gotten the tall
genes in the family, damn him. She was amidget by Hollywood’s standards.
He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him, effectively ending her agitated
waltz across the floor. “I’ve seen you obsess about Turn Me On in the past. What you’re
thinking about today has nothing to do with that, though, does it? Reggie has apologized
for selling you out. Andrew’s funeral was conducted with a minimum of hype, and the
press has no idea where you are. Already the gossip is dying down. You’re healing
nicely.” His gentle stare probed. “I can only think of one thing that would make you this
crazy right now. Or should I say one person?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You haven’t wanted to talk about Jack since you left the hospital.”
Morgan closed her eyes. “Don’t say his name.” “You’re being stubborn, little sister.”
“I’m being stubborn?” She poked herself in the chest with an angry finger. “Excuse
me, but I didn’t start this shit. He did. But now I’m supposed to live with it.”
“Live with what, exactly?” Brandon crossed his arms over his chest. “He shot and