Page 169

deeper.

She searched his face for signs of guilt and found none.

Could he really, truly not regret what he’d done? How he’d

hurt someone who trusted him, his business partner, his

friend? Haley’s belly roiled and she regretted the water she’d

just downed. Her mouth was still so dry. She was hollow

inside. Just pain and bone and too much water.

Her dad set his hands on the island and leaned heavily on

them. “Tell me, then.” He was wearing a gray t-shirt with the

name of his restaurant on it and black sweats. He looked so

normal. Like he hadn’t stressed or aged at all while she was

gone, even if she knew that wasn’t fair. He was worried about

her.

Haley gulped. How could she start? Where could she start? I

know everything. She told me after she made love to me the

way no one has ever made love to me before. The way she

kissed me wasn’t like anyone has ever kissed me. She knew I

wanted it, and I did. I wanted her more than anything.

“She told me that I should leave. She changed her mind

about the collateral. Decided it wasn’t right.” Claire hadn’t

told her what to say. She’d given Haley her freedom and she’d

given her free will over this. She could choose to tell the truth,

or versions of the truth. Shame burned, acrid on the back of

her tongue as she watched her dad’s triumphant grin. He was

relieved that she was back. “I hope you’re going to keep your

word still. Just because she let me go out of the goodness of

her heart doesn’t mean you can double cross her again.” She

hadn’t meant to say that. Not the again part. And now he knew

that she knew.

Her dad did a crazy transformation right in front of her eyes.