Page 91 of Undertow

“Heard you were fired. I wanted to make sure you were okay,” she says.

She lands an icy look on Julia and my concern morphs into fear. I need to get rid of Julia before Scarlett’s jealousy exposes me.

“Give me a minute?” I say to Julia.

The hurt in her eyes as she searches mine burns worse than a slap.

“I’ll get rid of her,” I assure her. I brush her cheek and project everything I can into my penetrating look.

It’s you. Only you. Always you.

Her gaze crosses back to Scarlett and goes dark.

“Fine,” she says, focusing on me again. “Break’s over in two minutes. Be quick.”

She shoves me away and slips back through the door to the kitchen of the bar. I wait until I’m sure she’s gone before turning on my nemesis.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I hiss, grabbing her arm to drag her deeper into the shadows. “Are youtryingto get me killed?”

“What’s wrong withme? We’re engaged, Shaw.Engaged.And I find you having sex with another woman?”

“We weren’t having sex,” I fire back.

“You would have if I hadn’t shown up.”

“You still haven’t explained why you did. You know why I’m here, what this is about.”

Her eyes narrow on me with deadly precision. “Do I? The word is you went rogue. Went against orders and got yourself fired from the resort. Maybe I was worried something was wrong.”

Fresh chills rush over my skin. “Who told you that?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Her smug gaze morphs with a cruel undertone. “It’s true, isn’t it. You’re playing your own game now.”

“I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but I’m not doing anything Merrick doesn’t know about and hasn’t sanctioned. You need to leave before someone thinks this is something other than what it is.”

“And whatisit, Roman? What’s happening right now? Whatwouldhave happened if I hadn’t shown up?”

“This is bullshit,” I mumble, frustrated. Angry. Terrified this woman’s pettiness is going to get me killed.

I start away, and she yanks me back around.

“I saw you,” she seethes, eyes hot with violence. “With her. Isawthe truth. You weren’t acting. You love her.”

I force down a wave of panic. “Don’t be ridiculous. You know how well I can play a part.”

“Yeah. I do. Which is how I know you’re notacting.You love her. Your feelings are real. What else are you hiding from my father?”

I open my mouth to respond but nothing comes out. I can’t believe this is happening, and in a sickening twist, I have no idea what to do this time.

“That’s your jealousy talking,” I say. “Everything you saw is what youwantedto see. What youexpected.And you know Merrick will believe me if you try to make trouble.”

Her lips press into a thin line. A hint of relief breezes through me when I see I’ve won. She knows I’m more valuable, more reliable than she is. If it’s her word against mine, they’ll go withmine because they haveto. They need me to be what they want me to be, and knowing what I do about McArthur’s plan with La Quinta Muerte gives me even more leverage.

“Go home, Scarlett,” I say in a stern voice. “Let me do my job while you plan our bullshit wedding.”

I march away, praying she listens.

Julia isquiet for the rest of the night.