Had he? He knew he’d been pushing it, pushing her. Guilt stabbed through him, making his chest seize with its familiar pain.

They didn’t talk for some time. He was too consumed with the memory of her sightless gaze, her terrible tremors and moans. He wanted to help her, to ensure she never had to suffer like that again.

“What can I do, Kate? Tell me. Should I call an ambulance?”

“There’s no need.”

“I can call Dr. Chan.”

“No, but I should get back to the suite and take my pills.” She pulled away, ever so slightly. “I’m usually diligent about taking them, but I forgot the past few days. I’ve been…distracted.”

“Kate, sweetheart. Please tell me I didn’t hurt you.”

She lifted her head. With her face drawn and pale, she appeared exhausted. When she smiled, it didn’t quite reach her eyes. He could have sworn in that moment she retreated from him.

“You didn’t. No one knows why the seizures happen. Just tragic timing. Sorry to spoil the moment.”

Fuck the moment. He wanted to know he’d have other moments with her, but with the way she looked at him now, he wasn’t sure anymore. She looked everywhere, nervous, and colored with what might even be regret.

No, it must be the seizure. Damn, seeing that had done horrible things to him. His heart was still racing. Liam didn’t know if he’d ever enjoy another moment of peace, knowing she could drop to the ground at any time. She could collapse in front of a bus, for God’s sake. “I want you to see a specialist.”

“I’ve seen them. Lots of them.”

“I want you to see another one. I’ll get Chan to give you a referral.”

“There’s no need.”

“Of course there’s a fucking need.” His voice rose with each syllable. Why was he shouting? Maybe because she edged away from him, because she continued to edge away from him, rather than sink into his embrace. “You may not have seen what happened but I did. I don’t want you to go through that again.”

Kate gazed at him, her cheeks white, her eyes wide. Shit, he was scaring her when he should be comforting her. It seemed the emotion he elicited more than anything in her was fear. This is what came from expressing himself. He didn’t know how to do it properly, like a sane person.

“Liam, I know you’re trying to help, but I’ve lived with this a lot longer than you. I’m usually very careful with my medication.” Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. “It’s been a long time. Please, don’t worry about me.”

Don’t worry about her. Right. He’d never stop now.

When Kate saw Lisa’s number come up on her cell display the next day, she grew excited. She missed her friend and felt badly about not checking in more frequently. They were so out of the loop with each other. Were Georgie and Sarah doing all right? Was Lisa keeping her head above water? God only knew she had her own updates to share, including her whiling away the hours at Vice with Liam. That wouldn’t go over well. Even still, she clicked the keypad, eager to have a good chinwag and determined to bring Lisa up to speed.

“Hey,” she said brightly as Lisa picked up. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m fine.”

“I tried to reach you the other day.”

“You didn’t try very hard. A couple of cryptic ‘don’t worry about me’ messages in a week? All kinds of things went through my head.”

“I wanted to talk to you, not a machine. Look, I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch more, but there’s been a lot going on…”

“Like hanging around with Liam Doyle? Is that what’s keeping you so busy?”

Shit. Donny told her. After avoiding his wife’s presence for weeks, she should have known he would have made an exception so he could run home and tattle like a child. “Lisa, there’s a reason I’m here.”

“And I’m assuming it has nothing to do with your pathetic protest, right? Remember when you had morals?” Lisa’s voice grew with every syllable. Kate knew her friend was in a fragile place, but her tone still stung.

“Lisa.”

“Don’t ‘Lisa’ me. Before Donny told me everything, I was worried sick about you. And all the while, you’re playing footsie in Vice. I heard how Doyle came to your rescue. How he held you in his slimy embrace.”

“Now wait a minute. You’re not even giving me a chance to explain.”

“I don’t want your explanations, Kate. I want your friendship, and your loyalty. I want you to leave that place now, and come home. I want you to tell Liam Doyle he can go to hell.”

“I can’t do that. It’s not what you think.”

“Oh, that’s rich,” she scoffed. “My life is falling apart, and my best friend is fucking the owner of the casinos my husband lost all our money in. What is wrong with you? I know it’s been a while since you got laid, but I thought your standards were higher.”

“You’re just being cruel now. You don’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly. I understand you’re no longer my friend. I understand you will stay away from me and my children, and stay out of my life. Do you hear me?”

“Lisa,” she whispered, unable to make her voice any louder. “Don’t do this.”

“I mean it, Kate. I looked up to you.” She let out a sob. “But now, I can’t even bear the thought of looking at you.” She slammed her phone down and the line went dead.

Kate stared, dazed, and listened to the flat noise. That dial tone would forever be the soundtrack of her life spiraling out of control.

“No,” she murmured. “No. She’s just hurt right now.” Donny might be spouting his vitriol in her ear now, but Lisa was a smart woman. She’d see through what he was doing. Like any compulsive gambler worth his salt, he’d pounced on a chance to make someone else look bad in his stead. Her father had done it dozens of times.

Don’t blame me your mother ran out of money to pay the bills. She should have organized the finances better.

It’s not my fault your cousin doesn’t have enough cash to pay for his knee procedure. Yeah, he loaned me some money, but he should have gotten some insurance.

Don’t blame me for going to the casino for a couple of hours of fun. Maybe if the women in my life were more interesting, I’d have stayed home.

Don’t blame me. It’s not my fault.

Always someone else’s problem.

She’d give Lisa some space and try her again in a day or two. It would have to work. The thought of losing her was too much to bear right now.

Thank God she had Liam. He’d been her rock and she wouldn’t let Lisa or anyone else badmouth him. They didn’t know him like she did.

Do you really know him at all?

Oh, she hated her fucking inner voice.

She looked at the clock, wondering when he’d come through the door. He’d gone to work, promising to return in a few hours. She had to admit, she rather enjoyed dwelling in his fantasy suite, but it seemed so empty without him.

When he walked through the door around six, she flew into his arms.

“Hey,” he said, kissing her with a tired chuckle. He pried her off long enough to peer into her face and frown. “What happened?”

She told him what Lisa said and his frown grew deeper. When she finished, he just stared at her.

“After everything you did for her and her kids. That sucks, Kate.”

“It’s been over a week and I didn’t even bother to let her know I was alive or dead. What was I thinking? I’ve been a bad friend.”

He raised her chin, making her look at him. “You wouldn’t know how. Lisa has no idea what you’ve been through. Remember the reason you came here in the first place. Don’t beat yourself up for this. I mean it.”

“Maybe I never should have come here. It’s been like a dream, but I need to get back to reality.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Don’t I? Liam, despite everything, despite your generosity, it’s wrong for me to be here.”

His face began to harden. “You’re safe here. I don’t want you to go.”

“But…”

“No buts, Kate.” His eyes took on a possessive gleam. “Stay with me.”