Dark Angel (Casteel 2)

with my brother. Though I am delighted to have you

for my daughter. Everything will work out, you'll see.

I know I have shocked and hurt you, and despite all

that I've told you, I did love your mother. She was

only a kid, and still I can't forget her. And in my own

way I love you. I admire you and what you have done

for my brother. I will be more than generous, so keep

that in mind when next you see Troy. Tell him

anything that will sound plausible. Don't give him

pain that would drive him to end his life. For don't

you know that's what his dreams are all about? He

was born self-destructive! He is disappointed in the

world, in everyone who died or went away and failed

him, and so he seeks to escape."

He moved to lay his heavy hand briefly on my shoulder before he got up and half turned toward the door. "Be good to him, for he's fragile, not like you or me or Jillian," he said in a choked voice. "He is an innocent in a world of vultures. He doesn't know how to hate. He only knows how to love, so he can later suffer and feel inadequate. So give to him the best you have in you, Heavenly, the very best you have to give.

Please."

"I already have!" I screamed, sitting up to hurl a

pillow at the door where he stood. "Does he know?

Have you told him that you could be my father?" I saw the shiver that ran down Tony's body. "I

could not bring myself to tell him. He respects me,

admires me, loves me. He has always been the best

thing in my life, despite all the trouble he was. I am

begging you, on my knees, to find some other reason

for breaking your engagement. He will hate me if he

knows the truth. And will I be able to blame him?

You could have saved him . . and I am responsible for

taking you from him. I only hope and pray you can

find the right words, for I cannot."

An hour passed during which my tears

evaporated. An hour in which I bathed my face and