Part 258 (2/2)

well.”

”I should have gotten a warrant,” Michael said. ”I should have pushed

her and gotten a warrant.”

”How long have you been in love with her?”

He didn't speak, then let out a long breath. ”Most of my life.” He

walked to the window, jerking it up to let the air hit his face. With

his palms braced on the sill he leaned out. ”Five minutes. If he'd

been five minutes later, or I'd been five minutes faster, I'd have

killed him. I had my gun in my hand when I went through the door. I

should have killed him for her. That's the way it should have been.”

”Ah, the male ego.” Johnno kept the same small sarcastic smile on his

face when Michael whirled on him. ”I have an idea how you feel, but I

disagree. I'm glad Emma wasted the sonofab.i.t.c.h herself There's justice

in that. I only wish she'd had the chance before he did this to her.

Come on, son.” Johnno patted his shoulder. ”You need food.”

Because he was too tired to argue, Michael went along. They were nearly

to the elevators when the doors opened. Brian and Bev rushed out.

”Where is she?” Brian demanded.

”She's right through there. Hold on.” Johnno took his arm. ”Marianne's

with her. You need to calm down before you go busting in there. She'd

had enough excitement for a while.”

”Johnno's right, Bri.” Bev battled back her own nerves to soothe his.

”We don't want to upset her. And we need to know what-how she got hurt.

Can you tell us what happened?” she asked Michael. ”We've been traveling

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