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.

opening the door for her, a reluctant truce

a moment before climbing into the

a towel “Dry off,” he said, getting straight to the point.

didn’t have time for his games. Ellie clutched the towel, heroice edged with desperation. I’ve kept

sarcasm. He held her gaze, and she fidgeted with the towel, the silence between them growing heavy.

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

up, her eyes meeting his. It was clear he was in control of her brother’s situation, and she felt powerless. Jaslands was Alex’s world; he could find out anything about anyone. Yet, he was making her jump

her contact info when you could get it a million other ways?” Ellie asked, her

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Love and Deepspace

Jan 24 TG.

Chapter 6

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

his

I’m serious about Haley. I’m planning on marrying

Ellie’s emotions into a whirlwind. She lowered her head, taking a deep breath to stear herself. Her feelings for Alex were a one–sided struggle she couldn’t control,

would react he found

tucking his phone away with a pleased

him, puzzled. “Where exactly are we

homestead, Alex answered, his voice leaving

back there. She only came to him as a last resort to help h brother. And she left that life behind a

Alex just stepped on the gas, and the car leaped forward. Ellie’s breath hitched,

rain was pouring down, and even with the wipers on full blast, it was hard to see the road ahead. Ellie knew Alex’s temper, she wasn’t about to test his limits again. When he

to herself. Maybe it wasn’t

parents

about the mess she’d have to clean up once her brother was out, Ellie was snapped back to reality by he phone buzzing in her pocket. Seeing Haley’s name flash on the screen, she snatched up the call.

a mess. I had to get out of the house, and now my bank cards are frozen Can

was already out in the