Rory heard her warning, saw it glinting in her eyes. With a sinking heart he realized that tenderness and cosseting wouldn't help the woman he loved, not now. As much as he wanted to be kind, he couldn't just let this go. For her sake, he had to step over the line she'd drawn.

"Watch you? Watch you tear yourself up inside? Watch you try to pretend that nothing's happened and push aside the people who care about you in the process?" He shook his head, watching her fingers tighten around the broom handle. "I can't. I love you. Whether you want my help or not, I have to try."

If setting himself up as a target was the only way to get through to her, he would do just that. Let her throw whatever she liked at him, be it missiles or words.