Chapter One Hundred-Sixty-Eight

"No." The word came out hard, immediate. "I'm not locking you up. I'm not sending you away."

She was quiet for a moment, and he could feel her trying to think.

"Fiona said I was broken," Bea whispered. "That you needed to do what was best for me."

His jaw tightened. "You're not broken," he said firmly. "You're hurt. There's a difference. And what's best for you is staying here, with me, while we f