Page 22 of Beautiful Revenge

He states the obvious. “You’re the daughter of Patrick Madison.”

It’s my turn to frown. “What does that have to do with anything?”

He shrugs. “I’d think that would have something to do with everything. Speaking of, did you locate your father?”

I shake my head. “I obviously have a strained relationship with Janie. And Dad and I disagree on many things when it comes to Stonebridge, but I love him. When he became too ill to make his own medical decisions, I tried to become his medical power of attorney, but Janie fought me on it. I lost. I couldn’t even get her to agree to dual.”

Devon’s stare hangs heavy on me, but it’s not just a stare. He’s studying me.

“What?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “I find you interesting.”

I wrap my arms around myself tighter. “Excuse me?”

He takes two steps back and leans on the dining table that overlooks the grounds I’ve been eyeing since I got here. I can’t wait to explore every inch of it while I spend my honeymoon solo.

A table for one, please.

A cabana for one, please.

A kayak for one, please.

Tennis ... well, that will be an issue. It also kind of freaks me out to hike by myself.

Other than that, I’m committed to living life solo for a very long time. Who knows? Maybe forever. It’s not how I saw my life playing out, but I also never thought I’d have to save myself from the man I was supposed to marry.

But I can’t get to any of that until every wedding guest is G-O-N-E gone, and I’m wearing some actual clothes. And there’s no way I can make that happen with Devon settling in for a deep and meaningful conversation while I’m naked beneath this thin robe. He’s definitely taking more than the minute he asked for when I let him in, and I’m not discussing my dad with anyone.

“Let’s recap the last few days. You ran out early on your rehearsal dinner. You ditched your fiancé at the actual altar. You got in a fight with your stepmum. Your father, who was under full-time medical care all the way across the country, is missing. I’ve had to keep your ex-arsehole fiancé away from you more than once?—”

“Whoa.” I put my hand out and stop him right there. “Did something else happen?”

Devon leans into the table farther and crosses his ankles. “Let’s just say he really wants to see you. You told Felicity and me you didn’t want to see him, so we honored that. If we were wrong, let me know.”

“No, you’re not wrong. I appreciate it. And Felicity, please extend my thanks to her.”

He lifts his chin.

Before he has the chance to add to all the ways I’ve been a pain in the ass since I stepped onto his resort, I take this opportunity to assess him as he did me. “I’m not the only interesting one, Devon.”

His brows rise, and for the first time since we met, he doesn’t look annoyed. He looks amused. Amused on Devon Donnelly is a good look. It sort of takes my breath away.

When his smirk comes out to play, my nipples go instantly hard. “Is that so?”

Happy to not be talking about me, Albert, or my father, I tell Devon the truth. “You don’t seem like someone whowould work in hotel management, let alone own something like this.”

“Finally, something we agree on. I’m obviously not faking it well enough. What gave me away?”

A smile touches my lips as I glance around the luxurious suite. “Don’t get me wrong, you look like you belong here, but you don’t look like you enjoy it. No offense, but hospitality doesn’t come naturally to you.”

He lowers his voice, but he looks no less amused. “Have I been anything other than hospitable to you, Ms. Madison?”

I shift my weight and cross my arms tighter across my breasts. I need to not find the broody man charming while standing here in nothing but my bridal robe. “You delivered my note. Nothing could be more hospitable than that.”

He gives his head a ridiculous, sarcastic bow. “Is it too soon to say it was my pleasure?”

“I suppose not—but only because of your accent. If you were an American, then it wouldn’t be nearly as charming that you ended my marriage before it ever had a chance to fail on its own. You’re a modern-day hero.”