Page 23

Zuri turned her head to look at her friend."He told you."

She nodded. "He's worried."

"He discussed it with you."

Jazmine lifted uneasy shoulders. "Hejust mentioned it. Isn't that his dad watching you from over there?"

She forced herself not to look. "Probablyplanning ways to get the bar closed," she muttered. "He's abully. And like all bullies, they hate to be confronted."Stamping a determined look on her face, she started to turn away.

"Zoo, what are you doing?"

"Confronting the problem and lettinghim know that I am not afraid of him."

"This is not a good idea."Jazmine grabbed her arm as if she was trying to stop her.

"You don't have to come."

With a sigh of despair, she trailed afterher friend.

"Mr. Hadley."

He had been in the middle of listening tosomething Belinda was saying to him when she called his name. Hisspine stiffened and he had to steel himself to turn towards thevoice. Across the room, she was lethal, up close she fairly took hisbreath away.Barely glancing at thewoman next to her, he focused his gaze on her and tried to keep hisemotions under control.

"Ms. Bennett, what are you doinghere?" The voice was deep and had a hint of contempt that hadher hackles rising.

"I am assuming this is open to thepublic, even someone as lowly as I am." She turned towards theblonde who had remained silent. "I recognize you. An actress? Amodel?"

"Actress," the woman offered athin smile, green eyes glowing. "Belinda Magnum."

"Ah, yes. From one of those soapoperas." Dismissing the woman, she turned towards the man whowas glowering at her. "How's Jason? I'm assuming you did notmake good on your threat to shove him off to boarding school?"

Gray eyes glittered at her and theexpression on his face turned ominous.

"What I do with my son is none of yourconcern."

"He was the one who came to me."Ignoring the way her friend was digging into her arm, she continued."And it concerns me when a child is being abused."

The silence that followed that incendiarystatement was thick with tension and for a minute, no one reacted.

"You think I'm abusing my son?"he asked silkily.

"I'm sure she did not mean-"

"There is much more than physicalabuse," Zuri cut off her friend's defense ruthlessly. "There'salso the mental and emotional which can be far worse. The poor childis terrified of you."

"Ms. Bennett, are you familiar withthe term slander?"

"Of course-"

"And harassment?" He plowed overher response. "I have a team of very expensive lawyers who wouldbe happy to explain them to you."

"I have a right-"

"We're leaving." Jazminepractically dragged her away and did not stop until they reachedoutside.

"What're you doing?"

"Trying to save your damn neck."Jazmine threw up her hands in despair. "What on earth were youthinking? I thought he was going to strangle you. Zoo, you cannot goaround accusing a man like Jack Hadley of abuse."