“Answer the question, Faith.”
Her sigh was loud.
“I told her that if she hurt you, I was coming for her. I said that if she wasn’t serious, she needed to leave town, because I won’t have your heart broken again.”
“Christ.” Noah moved into the room and fell into a chair. “What the hell did you do that for?”
Faith sat on the bed.
“Because I can see she means something to you and I don’t want you hurt again, not when you’re just starting to heal.”
“I can look after myself, Faith. I don’t need you running interference. I don’t do that in your life.”
“Because I’ve never been in love… not really. You have, and you got hurt.” He saw the tears in her eyes.
“I’m really pissed off with you about this. Lani has been avoiding me, and it’s driving me crazy. It was only when I worked back to that day that I knew you had to be the reason why.”
“I know you’re angry, but I’d do it again. You don’t know anything about her. She’s clearly running from something and closed up tighter than a safe.”
“I thought you liked her?”
“I do, but I don’t know her, and now that you care about her, that changes everything.”
“Did you ever stop to think that maybe she needs our help, and with that she could confront whatever is chasing her? You know she’s a good person, Faith. Since she’s been in Howling, she’s shown that in lots of ways.”
“Does she? Need our help, I mean?”
“It’s likely. She admitted that her life is in danger and she’s been on the run for four years to me, but nothing more. Hell, I don’t even know if Lani is her real name.”
“She’s been running for four years?”
“On her own.”
“Oh God, I feel terrible now.”
“You should. I’m a big boy, Faith, I don’t need you watching over me.”
“Ditto.”
He didn’t say that he’d never stop watching over her; now wasn’t the time.
“Clearly she’s not after my money, as she’d have tried harder. I mean, you’ve seen the way she dresses, right?”
That forced a laugh out of his twin. “Those jeans would fit you.”
“At least I know now why she’s been avoiding me.”
“I’m sorry, I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“And I know that’s come from a good place, but don’t meddle in this, Faith. If I get hurt again, it’s my choice to do so.”
She looked at him for several seconds, and he held her gaze. He knew his twin well, often knew what she felt and if she was hurt. He also knew what was coming out of her mouth next.
“Do you love her, Noah?”
“I don’t know, but if and when I work it out, I’ll be telling Lani before I tell you.”
She huffed out a breath.
