Christian nodded in agreement. But none of them knew the real reason he departed, he was certain. “Everything changed after our kiss. I couldn’t stay.”
“Why?”
“Because it would have caused trouble in your family, and the last thing I wanted was to break up your family.”
“Break up my family?” Willow echoed in disbelief. “You couldn’t do that. We’re the Hawkes.”
Christian bowed his head. “I didn’t want to risk it. It was easier to leave.”
“Easier?” Willow demanded. “I guess it was. You’ve been doing it all your life.”
Definitely not a compliment. And it hurt that she was right. But this was more than leaving. He was protecting her. “I am not part of your family. I never was. Your father shielded you girls against everything. Even me.”
“What does that mean?”
He had said too much. He didn’t want to cause a rift.
“I want to know. How did he protect us against you? I want the truth.”
“Your father is a good man. He is strong. He is commanding. He is dedicated to his family. He loves you.”
“I know all of that. I live with him. He can be overwhelming. But what does that have to do with why you left?”
“Nothing.” He gritted his teeth. “Nothing. I want you to know that I respect your father.”
She squinted her eyes. “Did he say something to you?”
Christian bowed his head and clenched his lips.
“What did he say?” she demanded.
He shook his head, not wanting to tell her. He had wanted desperately to stay with them, to belong. To remain with Willow. But he had been forced to leave.
Her eyes widened in realization. “He told you to leave.”
