Familiar Obsession. Caroline Burnes

think I need some time to think about all of this,” she said, gently placing a hand on his chest as they stood outside the gallery.

      Trent shook his head and half turned away. “I knew you’d blame me. It’s human nature to shoot the messenger.”

      “Wait,” she said quickly. “I don’t blame you. I only wish I’d known about this five years ago. I have to be honest with you, Trent. I owe you that much. I find it hard to believe that Duke was involved in any way with Marcelle Ricco.” She saw he was about to speak and she put her fingertips on his mouth. “I don’t want to believe it. But I know the police must have good reason to suspect him. All I’m saying is that if Duke were here right now, he could explain everything. In the end, he’d prove himself innocent.”

      Trent shook his head. “I only hope one day that you’ll have that much faith and confidence in me.”

      His words were painful to Liza. She hadn’t intended to hurt him, and yet she had. Perhaps she had nothing left to give to any man. Duke had taken all of her love, her heart. Maybe it would be best if she simply allowed Trent to move on to find someone capable of returning his love.

      “I’m sorry,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “I know how hard this must be for you. Maybe you should give up on me, Trent. Maybe I am crazy or stuck in the past or…something.”

      “Maybe,” he said, smiling a little. “But I’ll take my chances. I’ve got enough of an ego to believe I can win you over to my side.”

      “Don’t let me hurt you any more.” Her emotions were mixed, her relief that he wasn’t quitting bittersweet. “Good night,” she whispered, standing on tiptoe to kiss Trent’s lips before she slipped inside the gallery and locked the door.

      She watched as Trent walked back the way they’d come to retrieve his car. His back was straight, his powerful shoulders squared. He was a handsome man, and a good one. Why couldn’t she love him?

      She turned away from the window, realizing that Trent had never answered her question about how he knew she was on the levee and in trouble. If he’d been checking up on Duke Masonne’s past, then it was highly probable that he’d also gone hunting for her. It was probably just lucky circumstance that he’d seen her in the French Market and then had followed her when she’d begun to run away from Duke.