Page 170 of The Broken Keys

I stand and pace to the window overlooking the city. “I can’t lose her again.”

“Then what do you need to do that will help you throughthis?” The silence stretches for several beats before Sloane speaks again. “What do you want, Cash?”

I turn and face her. “If I had it my way, I’d be marrying Livianna tomorrow.”

“Even now?”

“Yes. If I knew she would be happy, I’d do it as soon as possible.”

“What’s stopping you from moving forward?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “She loves someone else.”

“No, she doesn’t. Not in her mind.” Sloane’s words land and give me hope.

“So, what are you saying I should do?”

“If you can’t trust her love, if you’re going to spend every day waiting for the other shoe to drop, you’re not giving either of you a fair chance.”

“That’s harsh.”

“That’s honest.” Sloane keeps pushing. “You’re creating worst-case scenarios in your head instead of living in the present moment with a woman who loves you.”

“She loves who she thinks I am.”

“Are you a different man than whom she believes you to be?”

“Yes.”

“How so?”

“I’m better than I used to be. No one can hurt us now. Not without me taking them out first.”

“How would someone hurt you today?”

I flop back into my chair. “I don’t know, but if they tried, I’d kill them.”

“Is that a serious threat to someone in particular?”

“No. It’s just a blanket statement. I’d only go after someone if they were threatening to hurt her.”

“You’re very protective of her. Where did that stem from?”

“I always have been. It’s just since her accident, I’ve been on high alert.”

“Your nervous system is overloaded.”

“You can say that again.”

“How are you coping with that?”

“I’m not taking anything for granted. I know how lucky I am.”

“How else?”

“I’m still going to the gym.” I glance away, hiding the lie from Sloane’s direct gaze.

“And that’s helping?”