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Hearing Wilson say those ugly things to her had set Green off in a rage like no
other. It was odd to hear Melanie defend him like she truly knew him. She forced a smile
to her face as she headed towards the front door.
Melanie?
I need some fresh air, she said, softly. Go head back in with your friends. It
was nice to finally talk to you. Night, Green.
Dismissed, but not deterred, Green shook his head. I d rather not go back in
without you.
Goodnight, Green.
Wait, are you leaving? he asked, doing everything he could not to pull her to
him and hold her tight.
I m tired and my head is killing me. Would you tell everyone I said thanks? She
shivered slightly as she headed for the door. The dress she wore teased Green with
almost glances at her lush ass.
He swallowed hard and grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the chair.
Melanie, here, put this on.
She glanced back at him and then the jacket. Her blue eyes widened and she
arched a brow. No. Thank you though.
He looked down at his jacket, unsure why she stared at it like it was deadly.
You re cold. It s a jacket. Its job is to warm someone. Let it perform its function.
She locked gazes with him. I don t want the jacket and I don t want your
sympathy. Wilson may have been trying to upset you but what he said was true. I m just
some whore who dropped into your lives and your heart is so big you ll do anything to
help someone in need. I enjoyed the dance and your company--well, the part where you
weren t feeling guilty over being near me.
He gasped. She d picked up on his feelings?
Melanie, I think you--
Goodnight, Doc Smart.
He froze. Doc Smart was what Elizabeth called him the first day they d met. He
clenched his fists. I d appreciate it if you d stop reading me. I think you know what I
mean.
Her brow furrowed. Huh?
You keep bringing up things you shouldn t know about. I d rather you didn t.
Melanie snorted. What? You think I m like a fortune teller or something? Umm,
sorry to disappoint there, Green, but I m not. She rolled her eyes. You re the last
person I want to fight with right now. Her eyes glistened with moisture. Just once, I d
like to part ways without one of us angry or ending up in tears. With that, she turned and
left.
RADAR DECEPTION 28
Chapter Four
Green stood there, watching her leave, knowing he should go after her but rooted
in place. Peren walked out from the dining area, followed closely by Missy and glanced
around. Hey, have you seen Melanie?
Umm, she wanted me to thank you both for tonight.
Missy s eyes widened. What? She left?
He nodded.
Peren covered her mouth. Oh, gawd, we didn t get out her cake yet or anything.
We didn t even say happy birthday. She probably thinks we forgot again like we ve
done every other year.
Missy shook her head. Don t kick yourself too hard. I was married to her brother
and he forgot all the time, too. In fact, I m betting Eadan hasn t even wished her a happy
one yet, either. Melanie never makes a big deal about it. She celebrates everyone else s
with flare but doesn t bring hers up at all. It s almost like she s ashamed she s having
one. It s weird.
She s getting worse, Peren said, tears coming to her eyes. I can feel her fading
more and more each day. At this rate.... She choked up.
Missy glanced at him. No. Shh, she ll be fine. Won t she, Green?
Peren wiped her cheeks. Wait a minute, how is Melanie getting home? She rode
with Lukian and me. Her eyes widened.
The second Missy grabbed Peren s arm, Green knew Melanie was walking. He
clutched his jacket and headed towards the door. I ll get her.
No, Peren said, taking him by surprise. We ll get her. She s our friend. We
love her and actually care what happens to her.
Missy arched a brow. Peren?
Green stared down at the five-foot six-inch, auburn haired woman. I care about
what happens to her.
Peren snorted. Lukian told me why it was he was shocked to hear her call you by
your name and why you said the name Elizabeth. She glared at him. Melanie isn t a
charity case and she s not what everyone assumes she is--an air-head blonde. She s
smart, Green. Very smart and has a heart of gold even though she doesn t see it. She is an
amazing young woman whose life is being cut short because of your brother and his
inability to control his shifting. She was practicing safe sex. It s hardly her fault he
changed partially into a panther. He terrified her, and Missy and I lied to her face about
it--telling her it was her imagination. She s going to die because of me. Had she not been
trying to give me a nice birthday night out, she wouldn t have been with us.
Green went to speak but Peren tossed her hand up and cut him off. She would
have been at college, not being pushed into the back of a van full of strangers. She
wouldn t have met Lance and she would be safe right now--not dying a painful death. Do
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