Chapter 19

He gave me another soft, quick kiss

"Yes, they would have done a rape test. We'd have proof of who attacked you." Clive clenched his jaw in anger, but then he managed and pulled himself together.

"You've had enough problems. When Helena told me that you talked about wanting to live on your own, move out of her apartment and start your own business, I wanted to help. I got the impression that you trust Marcus. Whatever it was, he was a member of the family. If I told you that it was from him, I was quite sure that you would agree."

"I nodded. " I think I surprised both of us when I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. He tilted his head, a wary interest in his eyes.

I don't know what got into me. Perhaps the understanding that life is short, that Marcus is dead, and that Clive, no matter how hard he tried to hide it, was a hero, not a villain. Maybe mostly it was because I was tired of living in isolation. Whatever the reason, I changed my mind at the last minute and kissed him on the