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Dumbstruck as she began disclosing the detail of the Clark’s holdings, Desmond felt another shift in his regard for Haley.

When he had hired her, she had quickly exceeded his expectations, and that was saying a fucking lot. She had earned his respect for the hard work she performed for him, but this was altogether different.

Her analytical mind was fascinating to watch, her face showing a myriad of expressions as he assumed she checked off mental lists in her head.

Damn. He really didn’t want to like her on a personal level. It would be harder for him to kill her if she got in his way.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I really didn’t expect you to be willing to help me,” he admitted. “At least not without some coercion.”

“Why? Because I’m a woman or because I’m a Clark?”

“Both.”

“Ouch.” She made a face at him. “You don’t have a very high opinion of women, do you?”

“I have every respect for women. My problem with them is that they tend to stay loyal to their family and the men in their lives, regardless of whether they’re right or wrong.”

“I can’t argue with that assessment.” Placing her napkin on her plate, Haley reached for her purse to take out her wallet. Laying a twenty and a five on the table, she then started to rise.

“Put your money back. I’ll take care of the bill. Give me a minute, and I’ll walk back with you,” he snapped.

“No, thanks. I prefer to pay for my own lunch and walk back by myself. I’ll get done what I can today, and I’ll make notes to leave for whomever you choose to take my place.”

Catching her wrist, he pulled her back down to her chair. “Wait. That’s it? No more questions about why I’m searching for the property? Or the people? You’re just going to clean out your desk and leave?”

“Pretty much. Would you tell me if I did ask?” she questioned, pulling her wrist away. “I won’t help if you’re unwilling to give me more information, so I wouldn’t be useless to you in finding out the information you need about my family. As far as me continuing to work as an accountant for you, I no longer want the job.”

Desmond frowned. This was not going the way he had wanted it to go.

“I have to respect the person I work for,” she said cuttingly.

His shoulders rose under his expensive jacket as he kept himself from jerking her across the table to him. No one had talked to him that way since he was fifteen years old. He didn’t give a flying fuck what Haley thought about him. What angered him was her disregard in the way she was speaking to him.

The disappointed expression in her eyes sent darts seeking to find a vulnerable spot. He didn’t have one. Any vulnerability had been ground out of him before he was three years old when he had grabbed his mother around her waist and begged her not to leave him. She had drunkenly stumbled out of their disgusting apartment without a backward glance.

The years ahead had just been more of the same, everyone in his life putting their selfish wants and desires above providing the most basic needs for the helpless child he had been. By the time he had been seventeen, he’d been unaware of any softness left inside of him … until he had met Aanya.

She had blown through any of his defense when he had fallen in love with her on sight.

A blinding pain struck him in the heart at thinking of Aanya, bringing him back to the table and the woman about to leave.

“Give me a chance to explain before you make your decision.”

“I don’t want an explanation from you.” Haley stopped trying to get away from him, folding her hands over each other as she leaned back across the table, her furious face just inches from his. “I had you pegged the minute I met you.” She scowled at him. “You’re the type of man I detest. Every single part of your appearance has been strategized to promote the façade you want to promote to the world.” She lifted one of her hands, giving a sweeping wave in front of his chest. “Rich, successful, generous, and last but not least, a high-profile confirmed bachelor. The unattainable, confirmed bachelor who men are envious of and who women try to prove they can be the one to win your heart.” She dropped her hand back to the table, narrowing her eyes on him. “But not me. I see you exactly for what you are—a cold-hearted, egocentric Loki.”

“I doubt you are that observant.” The corner of his mouth edged upward in amusement.

“Really?” Her voice became scornful. “Why?”

Any pretense of amusement vanished, his glare becoming grim.