Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

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Fri, Jan

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The clock ticked past one in the morning, and the rain came down like a waterfall. Alex pushed through the hotel’s spinning doors and spotted Ellie, huddled in the corner of the portico, trying to dodge the rain’s bullets.

Even there, she was getting soaked, clutching a tattered umbrella, looking like a drowned rat with those big, damp eyes tracking him

The doorman rushed over, shielding Alex with an umbrella as lie beclined for his fancy car.

“Alex,” Ellie’s voice called out, but he pretentled not to hear, his strides lengthening.

Not to be deterred, Ellie dashed to the car as Alex slid in, her umbrella fighting a losing battle against the wind, her hand tugging at his arm.

“I messed up, and I’m sorry,” she muttered, her voice barely a whisper, head bowed like she always did when she was little, even if she didn’t do anything wrong.

Alex glanced at the sad umbrella and then at Ellie. “What exactly did you mess up?” he snapped, even though he was the one who should be on the apology train,,,

The wind snatched the umbrella from Ellie’s hand, and she let go of Alex’s arm to wrestle it back. After a few deep breaths, she found her voice, soft but steady. I’ll help you… with her,” she said, her words a quiet offer.

Alex, already behind the wheel, paused with the seatbelt in hand, his eyes locked on Ellie.

She stood there, eyes downcast, the weight of a lifetime of his shadow on her shoulders. She’d tried to escape it all, running off to college far away, but here she was, right back in the thick of it.

His face was still a thundercloud, but his voice had an edge of curiosity. “You gonna talk back to me now?” he asked, a challenge in his tone,

Ellie shook her head, her compliance as automatic as it was unnecessary. “No,” she whispered.

softened, just a bit. “Get in,” he said, opening the door

a moment before

a towel “Dry off,” he

edged with desperation. I’ve kept my end of the bargain. Can you let my brother go now?”

held her gaze, and she fidgeted with the towel, the silence between them growing

of Haley’s contact info, Alex said, his hands resting easily on the steering

felt powerless. Jaslands was Alex’s world; he could find out anything about anyone. Yet, he was making her jump through

you could get it a million other ways?”

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Love and Deepspace

Jan 24 TG.

Chapter 6

this harder than it has to be, Alex replied, pausing for effect. “The more you resist, the

at his

about Haley. I’m planning on marrying her, so I need

a whirlwind. She lowered her head, taking a deep breath to stear herself. Her feelings for Alex were

Haley would feel if she knew Ellie was helping Alex pursue her, or how her brother would react he found out.

the road, Alex said, tucking his phone

at him, puzzled. “Where exactly are

the old homestead, Alex answered, his voice leaving no room for

her arms, determinatioarin her eyes. “I’m not going back there. She only came to him as a last

gas, and the car leaped forward. Ellie’s breath hitched, but she

hard to see the road ahead. Ellie knew Alex’s temper, she wasn’t about to test his limits again. When he

Warren Manor, Ellie kept to herself. Maybe it wasn’t all bad–she’d

parents

brother was out, Ellie was snapped back to reality by

had to get out of the house, and now my bank cards are frozen Can you

the noise when Alex was already out in the downpour, pulling open her door. He didn’t hesitate, just pulled her out and led her to the awning.