Page 114 of No Fear

“OK. I might be willing to understand that, but how did you get the pictures? Why did you get them?”

A flash of something crossed Donnie's face. Guilt? Shame? It was gone so quick she couldn’t tell. When he spoke, the calm facade was back in place.

“Knowing how much Simon had to lose by you calling off the wedding, I was concerned he wouldn’t go quietly. I’d seen his temper firsthand. He had his hands on you. You were scared. I was leaving, so couldn't be there to protect you. I arranged for someone to watch Simon. And you.”

She slammed the glass down on the counter so hard, it was a surprise it didn't break.

“You were spying on me?”

“No. I was protecting you.”

“Was someone following me?” She could not believe what she was hearing.

“No one was following you. Simon, yes. If he had made a move to get to you, they would have stepped in.”

“And done what?”

“Whatever was needed to protect you. But Simon was in London at a party. The pictures were from that party. I didn’t find out about them until I came home from the hospital.”

Charlie’s head throbbed and she rubbed her temples.

“I’m sorry, Charlie. Sorry you found out this way. After Toronto, I wanted you in my life so badly. Then I got hurt and you showed up here, and I knew I had to tell you everything. I wanted to talk, but it never seemed to be the right time. That’s on me. I should have told you sooner and I’m sorry.”

She had heard enough. She couldn’t stay here any longer. She needed space to work through all this. Just a few hours ago, they had been talking about her moving here, starting a new life with him. Now for the second time in a matter of days, her world had been turned upside down. She moved toward the bedroom to pack her case.

“Charlie? Where are you going?”

She stopped and looked at him. He was looking at her.

“Can you see me?”

“Not exactly. I can see an outline of a person. I wouldn’t know if it was a man or a woman, it’s very fuzzy. But I can see shapes.”

Despite what was happening between them, she couldn’t help but feel happy for him.

“That’s great. I’m glad your sight is improving.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m going to pack my things and go home. I’ll text Mackie and let him know I’m leaving. I’m sure he’ll come over.”

“Please don’t go. I never mean to hurt you.”

She gave him a sad smile, not that he could see it. “But you did. Again.”

Chapter Twenty

Donnie pushed on the leg press Tyler had set up. His phone was in his locker as was the rule when doing PT, and he could only pray he didn't miss a call from Charlie.

He’d tried calling her, but she didn’t answer. His sight was improving daily, but it wasn't good enough to text yet.

After two days of Charlie not answering his calls, he had planned to get on a plane and go to Albany. It wouldn’t be easy navigating the trip by himself, but he couldn't leave things like this. He’d fucked up big time. Again. This time he wasn't waiting ten years to fix it. He loved Charlie. He would do whatever it took to get her back.

Then Dex had come by to say he and Sam wanted him back at the Farm. Since Charlie had gone home and his sight was improving, there was no reason for him not to rejoin the team for light training, and to take part in their briefing sessions. For the first time in his military career, he had considered defying orders. He’d spoken to Mackie and Steve. Only they knew the truth about why Charlie had left. Both had warned him leaving would likely cost him his position at Onyx. Charlie would not want to be responsible for that, no matter what happened between them.

He didn’t like it, but he had reluctantly agreed, so here he was at the gym. He wasn't giving up. The next down time he got, he would be on a plane to Albany. He had considered calling Maddie, but he didn't want to make things worse. This was between him and Charlie. He would have to be patient.

Now he was here with his team, trying not to think about the woman he was head over heels in love with. He couldn't lose Charlie. He refused to. He should have told her about Simon and, when they finally talked, he was going to have to tell her about the night Nate died. How could he expect her to trust him when he was keeping that secret from her?