Page 141 of Salvage Him

Twenty-Five

Brooklyn

Itrashedmy phone in the guest bathroom toilet before I realized it was my only link to the outside world and Harrison. Paul packed while I sat and moped around theapartment.

Even if I had a phone, I wouldn't contact him. I couldn't risk Paul following through on his threat. I loved Harrison too much to see him ruined if I had the power tostopit.

Paul apologized for hitting me. I accepted it only because I didn't want to make him angry. I wasn't scared for myself. I couldn't live with him hurtingHarrison.

When he announced we were moving back to New York, I faked acceptance. He said we could get back to New York and get back to our old lives. Harrison would be a distant memory . . . for Paul,anyway.

I would neverforgethim.

He would never forgive me for cutting off contact with him, but it didn'tmatternow.

Paul was in the office packing when the intercom rang. He lookedatme.

I looked at him and shrugged myshoulders.

"Hello," heansweredit.

"Mr. McIntyre, there's a Piper Drew here to see Mrs.McIntyre."

"Who is Piper Drew?" heaskedme.

"She's an art student at SMU. She did the mural in my client's new nursery,"Isaid.

"Why would she show up here?" He came out of theoffice.

"Paul, I don't know. Why don't you ask her?" I dropped my head. I wasexhausted.

He pressed the button and spoke back into the intercom. "What doesshewant?"

"She has some flowers for Mrs. McIntyre because shewassick."

"Send her up." He walked over to me. He inspected my face and smoothed a finger under my eye. The bruise had faded enough, and I had covered it with makeup. He held my face in his hands. "Have your little visit with your friend and then get rid of her. I have a surprise for you. We have a lot of work to do, but if we finish in time, I want to take you out for a romantic dinner tomorrownight."

A chill ran up my spine, but Inodded.

He let go and went back to the study. He stopped at the door and turnedaround.

"Remember, Brooke." He smiled and nodded. "Iloveyou."

"Me, too,"Isaid.

We stared at each other, daring the other to say what we both felt. Neither of usmeantit.

The knock at the door startled me. I was so jumpy. I answered it, so relieved to seePiper'sface.

"Brooklyn." She sang my name and threw her armsaroundme.

"Hi Piper," I said. I couldn't match her exuberance, but I was happy toseeher.

"Leanna told me you were sick, so I thought I'd stop by and see if you needed anything." She handed me the flowers. "You weren't answering yourphone."

"I broke it.” I smelled the flower. “I just haven't had a chance to get anewone."

Paul stuck his head out of hisoffice.