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“Perhaps it would be better if we leave.”

Haley nodded, returning to Desmond at his suggestion. “I’m ready.” She let him take her arm to lead her away from her brother and sisters. “I won’t apologize for making them angry. I was going to try—”

“I would appreciate it if you would wait until we’re in the car before saying anything else.”

Feeling the tension emanating from Desmond in waves, she thought it wise to follow his advice.

Haley didn’t remember a step she took as they walked back through George’s house. Fear soared through her as they drew closer to Desmond’s car. Instead of getting in the car when Desmond opened the door for her, Haley wanted to run helter-skelter down the driveway.

“Get in, Haley.”

He moved closer, leaving her no choice than to enter the car.

Wincing when Desmond slammed the car door, Haley took her inhaler out of her pocket, holding it tightly in her hand. It was a good thing Desmond and she weren’t dating in real life. If they had been, she was sure it would be the end of that relationship.

Haley tried to buoy herself up as Desmond walked around the car to get inside. She couldn’t imagine feeling worse than she did now, and there weren’t any emotional attachments to him. Or were there?

No, Haley thought shakily. No, there aren’t, she told herself more firmly. There couldn’t be. Desmond was the type of man whom women didn’t recover from loving. He was the type who would rip your heart out and never give it back, regardless of how much you needed it to survive, while keeping his own intact. He was a heartbreaker, and the only way a woman stood a chance was if Desmond didn’t want your heart. She would have a better chance of winning the mega lottery than withstanding Desmond.

You’re being ridiculous, Haley berated herself. Besides, it didn’t matter anyway, because while the odds of her winning the lottery were low, the idea of Desmond ever really wanting her were below nil.

Seventeen

“Before you say anything”—Desmond slammed his car door before turning to stare at the woman sitting next to him. Placing his hands on the steering wheel, Desmond had to restrain the rage that had him wanting to tear the column from the dashboard—“did it dawn on you to tell me that your brother was abusive toward you?”

“No. It was when we were growing up. He hasn’t touched me since I moved in with Julia. I know you’re furious at me for ruining getting more information, but if—”

“I’ll find another way to get the information I want.” Shifting in his seat, Desmond wanted to pull her out of her seat and shake her silly. “What I’m furious about is being unaware of Gilbert using physical violence toward you. I would have never put you in the position of having to be in their company. Saying that, if we had been working together, as we were supposed to be doing, I would have told you to let me handle the situation before you said anything to Leighton.”

“What would you have been able to do that I couldn’t?”

Her snideness was the last straw.

Leaning over the console, Desmond wrapped his hand around the back of Haley’s neck, bringing his face up close and personal. “I would have fucking told you to invite Leighton to lunch tomorrow after Gilbert flew out to Sherguevil Island. I had promised him a job interview and a tour of the island to assess if he would be a good fit.”

“Oh …”

“Yeah, fucking oh …” he said sarcastically. “For someone who pretends to be all meek and mild, you have a fucking mouth that just won’t shut the fuck up.”

“You don’t have to be so … mean.”

“Woman, what in the fuck will it take for you to realize I need a few minutes to calm down? I want to go back inside and beat the fuck out of that twerp for laying a hand on a woman, much less one who is about to give birth to his fucking child.”

“You wouldn’t. Your friendship and business ties with George and Amelia are the real reason you held back saying anything.”

“You know what your problem is? You think there is only one way to handle a situation. Your way. That’s why you stay cooped up in your office and don’t have any friends. You pretend to be a scaredy cat, meanwhile, when no one is looking, you’re shredding the fuck out of the sofa.”

“I do not!”

“No? You’re a hellcat.”

“Take that back. I am not.”

“Pfft. Lady, I’ve got news for you. You are. It’s amazing you and Nadia are friends. I bet you run her over to get your way. The only reason I can come up with is she feels sorry for you.”

“Take that back!”

“Hellcat, hellcat.”

“You… you…”

Desmond laughed at her sputtering in her rage. He started laughing harder when she started pummeling his chest. His humor had him leaning back against the door as she continued to strike out at him.