Chapter 4 - THE HUSBAND WHO HAD FORGOTTEN HOW TO LOVE
Dorian Cross had inherited his father's criminal empire at twenty-nine.
He had never wanted it.
But when his father was murdered, the organization had nearly collapsed.
Dorian stepped in.
He stabilized the shipping companies.
Protected the legitimate businesses.
And eliminated the men who had tried to take control.
By thirty-three, he was one of the most feared men in New York.
Then he met Alina.
She was working at a small architectural preservation firm.
She didn't know who he was.
Or perhaps she did and simply didn't care.
Their first conversation had been an argument about a historic building he wanted to demolish.
She told him the structure was worth saving.
He told her it was economically useless.
She called him unimaginative.
He fell in love with her before the meeting ended.
For eleven months, he'd been happy.
Then his younger brother disappeared.
And everything changed.
“Your brother?” Alina whispered.
Dorian nodded.
“Gabriel.”
She frowned.
“You told me he died.”
“I believed he had.”
He looked down.
“Eight months after our wedding, I received evidence that he might still be alive.”
Alina stared.
“And you didn't tell me?”
Dorian's jaw tightened.
“I was afraid you'd become a target.”
She laughed bitterly.
“So you pushed me away.”
He nodded.
“I thought distance would protect you.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“Dorian.”
He looked up.
“You didn't protect me.”
His expression changed.
“You made me believe you stopped loving me.”
Dorian closed his eyes.
May you like
For the first time, he looked ashamed.
“I know.”
