Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chispter 702

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Chapter 702

I was completely caught off guard. Instinctively, I ducked my head, twisting to avoid him.

But Wayne was stronger, and when he was this determined, there was no way I could break free.

"Rea, why is it okay for them, but not for me?" he rasped, his voice hoarse with anger and frustration. "I love you just as much as they do maybe even more.

I couldn't think clearly, let alone explain anything. All I wanted was to shove him away, to escape, but I didn't have the strength to fight him off.

His lips brushed the top of my head, then slid to my cheek. When he nuzzled against my neck, I felt the weight pressing on my waist vanished as Wayne was shoved back.

"Mr. Johnston," Xander's voice cut through the tension. "Things between men and women should be consensual. Forcing them? Well, that kind of ruins all the fun, don't you think?"

His tone was nothing like Hayden's. I didn't know how Xander had managed to transform himself so completely, but hearing his voice right then felt like a lifeline.

Clinging to the edge of Xander's jacket, my fingers trembling, I listened as he taunted Wayne with a calm that cut deep.

to blame his behavior on being drunk. No,

picture, he'd finally have his chance. Then Hayden came along, wrecking that dream. When Hayden disappeared, he thought he was in the clear-only for Xander to show up and derail everything all over again. The frustration of chasing something so relentlessly, only to have it

who do you think you are to talk to

front of me,

at me before pinning Wayne with his gaze. Don't you think?" Fury rolled off Wayne in waves. For a

dangerous Wayne could be. Even though I trusted Xander to handle him, I didn't want

tightened my grip on Xander's hand, whispering, "Take

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even I was startled by how weak I

shaken me to my core. Walking

hand rested gently on the top of my head. Then he raised an

little mischievous, and undeniably roguish-nothing like the Hayden I once

a cold glare, then turned his gaze to me. He

realize I was holding. But before I could fully relax,

like a punch to the gut, taking me right back to when I first met him. Rugged, unyielding, impossible to ignore. "Hay..." The word barely formed on my lips before he shut it down, his voice cool, detached. "Did he

chin, scanning me like he was searching for any sign Wayne had crossed

chest-this man had faked his death, shattered me completely, and now he showed up to

to mess