Talon forced himself to forget the times Daniel had confided in him and the tentative camaraderie they’d shared toward the end. He wanted to believe Daniel had always had an ulterior motive.
But an ugly little voice in the back of his mind kept reminding him that Daniel had been there for him during his fight with McGuire.
“I know you cared for him. You were becoming friends.” Kate gave him a perceptive glance, her gaze searching and sympathetic. “It’s all right to admit you’ll miss him. I’ll miss him, too.”
“You don’t know anything about me.” Talon shook his head, overwhelmed with the guilt of leaving Daniel behind. “I will not miss him.”
Kate looked away, blinking back tears. “Never mind. I guess I was wrong. You probably didn’t care for him any more than you cared for me.”
“Think whatever you like. I just don’t give a damn anymore.”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’m going to sleep now.” She threw him an angry glare. “I don’t want to wake up with your hands on me, Talon. Not ever again.”
“You won’t,” he told her, staring back into the fire. “I’ve learned my lesson.”
