Page 52 of Beautiful Revenge

It’s all I can do not to glare at the man who says we’ve met, but one I have no recollection of. Instead, I ignore the broody Englishman who feels the need to plan my day. I toss my book in my bag, grab my sarong, and stand.

“Finally,” Devon drawls. “I’ll walk you to the spa.”

“I’m not going to the spa. I’m going back to the room.” I wrap the silk around my waist before grabbing my towel and bag. I do not look at either of the men who ruined the first peace and quiet I’ve managed to get in weeks.

“Fine by me. We can talk on the way, since you’re staying in my suite.”

I turn to glare at him. “You’re unreal.”

“So, you’re not married? I need to check the headlines.Props to you for moving on so fast,” Roman says. “I respect a woman who knows what she wants.”

I gasp.

Devon shoots me a wolfish grin and looks damn satisfied with himself.

I’ve had enough of men trying to manage my destiny, no matter where it falls on the spectrum of control.

And the spectrum is proving to be vast.

I wiggle my toes into my flip flops and head for the atrium.

“Harlow,” Roman calls. “Maybe we can catch up later? Have a drink or something?”

I don’t have any desire to catch up with anyone I do know, let alone those I don’t. But I don’t have a chance to make up an excuse, because Devon takes the liberty for me. “Maybe another time, mate. She’s officially on vacation and booked solid for the next week. She wanted the full experience, and I’m going to make sure she gets it.”

I don’t know whether to kiss Devon for getting me off the hook or punch him in the face.

The need to do both wars within me.

“Maybe another time.” I offer. And even though I have no clue who he is, I say, “Nice to see you again.”

It seems I just can’t shake the owner of the manor. He’s hot on my heels and grabs the door before I can get to it. When I walk through, his warm hand hits the bare skin on the small of my back as he leans in to speak in a low, harsh whisper. “We need to have another chat. You’re not to go anywhere near Roman Malloy.”

Before I have a chance to respond, Devon shoots me a stern glare.

He keeps bossing me around. “Not here. We’ll discuss it when we get back to our room.”

Ourroom.

Well then.

I might not have another option of where to stay until Grandma’s house doesn’t look like a crime scene, but I sure as hell don’t have to follow orders from Devon Donnelly.

If a facial means I can avoid him, then I’m going to the spa.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

HONEST

DEVON

I’m not shallow enough to value a job as much as I did my best mate, but since they died at the same time, I can’t think of one without the other. Hugh and my career go hand in hand like fish and chips, but in this case, they rattle around in my gut like a pile of thorns.

Yeah, I’ll always mourn my friend and my job.

The only drawback of working in intelligence was the problem of finding someone to settle down with. Dad had our mum. She’s solid gold and was everything our family needed. There was no way Dad could’ve had a family and his career without her. Our lives never lacked because of her sacrifices. It wasn’t easy for her when Dad was away on a mission, sometimes for weeks or months at a time.

Bella and her husband Carson don’t count. They’re cut from the same cloth and found each other when they were on the job. They might’ve had to fight their way out of the hell they were thrown into by both of their agencies, but ever since, they’re thriving in life and work.