Free Radiance by Shayne McClendon Page B

two weeks.” 
    “The reason?” 
    “Their similarities to Natalia and myself.  A deep love for one another without the capacity to include others in it.”  Black eyes held his unsympathetically.  “Your actions were childish and needlessly hurtful.  She felt it deeply.”
    Harper accepted the deserved reprimand with a nod.  Even he could not deny the words.
    “Joshua and Jessica’s youth and sense of adventure stopped her from spiraling into despair.  However, it is another situation that ultimately left her without what she needed.”  To himself, he murmured, “I hate seeing her unhappy.” 
    Unable to handle Elijah’s silence any longer, Harper made a decision.  “Will you discuss it over dinner?” 
    “Within boundaries, yes.” 
    * * *
    Elijah cleared the private room at the exclusive restaurant and took a position beside the door. 
    As Hudson Winters passed him, he stopped and said clearly, “Join us, Eklund.  Your role is not that of employee when Gabriella’s name is involved.” 
    Meeting the man’s eyes, they took the measure of one another for the third time in twenty years. 
    The first involved Harper’s reputation.  Winters proved himself a man of honor who could be trusted.  Their interaction was a draw with an outcome of mutual respect.
    The second involved Natalia Roman.  Seeing the man’s love for a woman Elijah had always admired but did not love convinced him to concede.  He could count the number of times in his life that he’d done so. 
    This time, the woman who stood in the space between them was Brie.  It was critical Winters understood there would be no concession this time. 
    “You love her,” Elijah stated without animosity.
    “Naturally.  I won’t see her harmed.  I see your desire to ensure she is not.”  Gesturing to the table, Elijah nodded and all of them took a seat. 
    Winters wasted no time. 
    To Harper, he said clearly, “You must set aside your pride and your jealousy .  If you’re powerless to do so, don’t toy with her.” 
    Turning his gaze to Elijah, he stated, “It was you who suggested she seek comfort elsewhere.” 
    “She needed things I was unable to provide.” 
    Winters sipped his scotch.  “Your position now?” 
    “I’ll see her when we return to New York.”  He felt rather than saw Harper stiffen beside him. 
    For a long time, they maintained eye contact. 
    Elijah didn’t blink. 
    “You’re prepared to care for her?” 
    A hundred scenarios rapidly filed through Elijah’s mind. 
    Caring for Brie in ways she understood as well as ways she did not yet understand had been at the forefront of his mind since watching her leave with a couple focused on her pleasure, on soothing her, on reminding her that she was alive. 
    “I’m prepared to wait until she’s cleared from medical care.  At that time, yes.”  Looking deeply into the black eyes of a man he knew would kill to protect Brie, Elijah made his feelings clear.  “I love her.  I believe she loves me.” 
    “You’re correct.  It happened quickly but it isn’t reversible, Eklund.  She hurts at the loss of you.” 
    The words filled him with fucking bliss .  His desire to go to her immediately was almost overwhelming. 
    Switching attention, Winters asked, “Your position, Delkin?” 
    “I don’t want to love her.  I don’t want her to love me.  I have neither time nor patience for such tender emotions.” 
    Tender emotions would change his life if he’d allow them the opportunity. 
    Winters didn’t seem surprised.  “Your interest in Gabriella remains entirely sexual.” 
    “Yes.” 
    “I call bullshit .”  Harper’s eyes went wide.  “No matter your words , you’re attracted to her beyond mere sex.”
    “No.  I…” 
    “Harper, so help me god.”  He sat forward and put his arm on the table.  “I get your initial need to fuck someone who was temporarily mine.” 
    Elijah watched Harper’s face still with