by Maya Banks
Anger was slowly replacing her numb shock. She yanked her arm away from the older man and retreated. “Don’t touch me.” She backed right into another person; she turned to excuse herself but found herself looking up at the mountain who worked as Rafael’s head of security.
“Miss Morgan, I had no idea you were in the city.” He frowned. “You should have let Mr. de Luca know so I could have met you at the airport. Did you come with no escort?”
The doorman looked relieved that Ramon was there and he hastily resumed his position by the door, leaving her to stand by the security man.
“I’m not staying,” she said tightly. “In fact, I’m on my way back to the airport now.”
Ramon looked puzzled, and then Ryan Beardsley was there, inserting himself between her and Ramon.
“That will be all, Ramon. I’ll take Miss Morgan where she needs to go.”
“The hell you will,” Bryony muttered. She turned and stalked toward the door.
Ryan caught up to her as soon as she stepped outside. He took her arm, but his hold was gentle. So was the look on his face. The sympathy burning in his eyes made her want to cry.
“Let me give you a ride,” he offered gently. “It’s cold and you really shouldn’t take a cab if you have no idea where you’re going. You probably don’t even have a hotel, am I right?”
She shook her head. “I was planning to stay with Rafael.” She broke off as tears brimmed in her eyes.
“Come on,” he said. “I’ll take you to my place. It’s not far. I have a spare bedroom.”
“I want to go back to the airport,” she said. “There’s no point in staying here.”
He hesitated and then cupped her elbow to lead her out of the building. “All right. I’ll take you back to the airport. But I’m not leaving you until you get on a plane. You probably haven’t even eaten anything, have you?”
She looked at him, utterly confused by how nice he was being to her.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked.
He stared at her for a long moment, brief pain flickering in his own eyes. “Because I know what it’s like to have the rug completely pulled out from under you. I know what it’s like to find out something about someone you cared about. I know what it’s like to be lied to.”
Her shoulders sagged and she wiped a shaking hand through her hair. “I’m just going to cry all over you.”
His smile was brief but he turned her and motioned to a distant car. “You can cry all you want to. From what I heard, you’re entitled.”
“You can go now,” Bryony said in a low voice, as Ryan hoisted her only bag onto the scale at the airline check-in desk.
“You’ve got a little time. Let’s go get something to eat. You’re pale and you’re shaking still.”
“I don’t think I can.” She placed her hand on her stomach and tried to will the queasiness away.
“Then a drink. Some juice. I’ll make sure you get back to security in enough time to catch your flight.”
She sighed her acceptance. It was much easier to just cede to Ryan’s determination, though for the life of her she couldn’t figure it out. In a few moments he had her seated at a little round table outside a tiny bistro, a tall glass of orange juice in front of her.
Her eyes watered as she stared sightlessly at it. Her fingers trembled as she touched the cool surface.
“Ah, hell, you aren’t going to cry again, are you?”
She sucked in steadying breaths. “I’m sorry. You’ve been nothing but kind. You don’t deserve to have me fall apart all over you.”
“It’s okay. I understand how you feel.”
“Oh?” she asked in a shaky voice. “You said you knew what it felt like. Who screwed you over?”
“The woman I was supposed to marry.”
She winced. “Ouch. Yeah, it sucks, doesn’t it? At least Rafael never promised to marry me. He certainly hinted about it but he never went that far in his deception. So what happened?”
Ryan’s mouth twisted and for a moment, Bryony thought he’d say nothing.
“She slept with my brother just weeks after we became engaged.”
“That’ll do it,” she said wearily. “I’m sorry that happened to you. Sucks when people you put all your faith into gut you in return.”
“That about sums up my feelings on the subject,” Ryan said with an amused chuckle.
She drained the juice and set the glass back down on the table.
“Let me get you something to eat. Can you keep it down now?”
Ryan’s concern was endearing and she offered a halfhearted smile. “Thanks. I don’t feel hungry, but you’re right. I should probably eat.”
He got up and a few minutes later returned with a selection of deli sandwiches and another glass of orange juice. As soon as she took the first bite, she realized just how hungry she was.
Ryan studied her for a long moment, sympathy bright in his eyes. “What will you do now?”
She paused midchew and then continued before swallowing. She took a sip of the juice and then set the glass back down.
“Go home. Have a baby. Try to forget. Move on with my life. I have my grandmother and the people on the island. I’ll be fine.”
“I wonder if that’s what Kelly did,” he mused aloud. “Went on with her life.”
“Is that her name? Kelly? Your ex-fiancée?”
He nodded.
“So she didn’t hang around? With your brother I mean? I suppose that would be awkward at family get-togethers.”
“No, she didn’t hang around. I have no idea where she went.”
“Probably just as well. If she was the kind of person who’d sleep with the brother of the man she’s going to marry, she isn’t worth your idle curiosity.”
“Maybe,” he said quietly.
Silence fell and Bryony picked at her food, getting down what she could. She kept hearing Rafael’s damning words over and over in her head. No matter what she did, she couldn’t turn it off, couldn’t make it go away.
She was humiliated. She was angry. But more than any thing, she was destroyed. Twice she’d allowed him to manipulate her and to make her love him. Worse, she’d fallen even deeper in love the second time around. She’d been ready to capitulate and give him what he’d wanted all along. What he didn’t even need from her because he had no intention of ever honoring his promise to her.
She was twice a fool for believing him and for not being smart enough to get the agreement in writing.
She was an even bigger fool for loving him.
A tear slid down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away but to her dismay another fell in its place.
“I’m sorry, Bryony. You didn’t deserve this,” Ryan said quietly. “Rafael is my friend, but he went too far. I’m sorry you got caught in the middle of this deal.”
She wiped away more tears and bowed her head. “I’m sorry, too. I wanted so much for it all to be real even when my head knew that something wasn’t right. I should have never come to New York to confront him. I should have trusted my first instinct. He used me to get what he wanted. I knew that and I couldn’t leave it alone. If I had just stayed home, I’d be over it by now and I would have never gotten involved with him a second time.”
“Would you be over it?” Ryan asked gently.
“I don’t know. Maybe… I definitely wouldn’t be sitting here crying my eyes out, thousands of miles from home.”
“True,” Ryan conceded. He checked his watch and grimaced. “We should get you to security. Your flight leaves soon.” His phone rang, and he looked down then frowned. He hesitated a moment and then punched a button to silence the ring. Then he looked back up. “You ready?”
She nodded. “Thank you, Ryan. Really. You didn’t have to be this nice. I appreciate it.”
Ryan smiled as he took her arm and they began the walk toward the security line. When they reached the end, she turned and blew out a deep breath. “Okay, well, this is it.”
Ry
an touched her cheek and then to her surprise pulled her into his arms for a tight hug.
“You take care of yourself and that baby,” he said gruffly.
She pulled away and smiled up at him. “Thanks.”
Squaring her shoulders, she eased into the security line. In a few hours she’d be back home.
Twenty-Two
Rafael dragged himself into the shower, washed the remnants of his alcohol binge from his fuzzy brain and proceeded to punish himself with fifteen minutes of ice-cold water. He’d been trying to call Ryan to find out where the hell Bryony was, but Ryan wasn’t answering. He had to get his act together and prepare to plead his case to her. This was the most important deal of his life. Not the resort. Not the potential merger with Copeland Hotels. Not his partnership with his friends.
Bryony and their child were more important than any of that. He was furious that he could have been such a cold, calculating bastard with her before. But if she’d listen to him, if she’d just give him another chance, he’d prove to her that nothing in this world was more important to him than her.
By the time he got out, his mind was clear, he was freezing his ass off and he had only one clear purpose. Get Bryony back.
He dressed and strode into the living room, surprised to see Devon and Cam both sprawled in the armchairs.
“You two look like hell,” he commented on his way to the kitchen.
Cam snorted. “You’re one to talk, alcohol boy. When was the last time you went on a bender like that? Weren’t we in college? Hasn’t anyone told you we’re too old for stuff like that now? It’s a good way to poison yourself.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Rafael muttered.
“So what’s the plan?” Devon drawled.
“I’ve got to get her back,” Rafael said. “Screw the deal. Screw the resort. This is my life. The woman I love. My child. I can’t give them up over some ridiculous development deal.”
“You’re serious,” Cam said.
“Of course I’m serious,” Rafael snarled. “I’m not the same bastard who would do anything at all to close a deal. I don’t want to be that man any longer. I don’t know how you stood him for as long as you did.”
Cam grinned. “Well, okay then. Don’t get pissy about it.”
“Have either of you heard from Ryan? I sent him after her, but the son of a bitch won’t answer his phone.”
Devon shook his head. “I’ll try him. Maybe he’s just not answering your calls.”
Like that was supposed to make Rafael feel any better. But at this point, he didn’t care how he had to get to Bryony. Just as long as he did.
Just as Devon put the phone to his ear, the elevator doors chimed and Rafael jerked around, holding his breath that by some miracle Bryony had come back. He let it all out when he saw Ryan stride in.
Rafael strode forward to meet him. “Where the hell is Bryony? I’ve been calling you for the last couple of hours. Where have you been?”
Ryan glared back. There was condemnation in his eyes. And anger. “I just spent the past couple of hours listening to Bryony cry because you broke her heart. I hope to hell you’re happy now that you’ve destroyed the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
“Whoa, back off,” Devon said as he stood. “This isn’t any of our business, Ryan. He’s already beaten himself up enough without you piling on.”
“Yeah, well, you didn’t have to listen to her cry.”
“Where is she?” Rafael demanded when he found his voice. The image of Bryony crying sent staggering pain through his chest. “I need to see her, Ryan. Where did you take her?”
“To the airport.”
Rafael’s heart dropped. “The airport? Has she already left? Do I have time to catch her?”
Ryan shook his head. “She’s probably already in the air.”
Rafael cursed. Then he turned and slammed his fist into the wall. He leaned his forehead against the cabinet and fought the rage that billowed inside him.
When he looked up, an odd sort of peace settled over him. He looked at his friends—his business partners—and knew that this could very well be the end of their relationship.
“I have to go after her,” he said.
Devon nodded. “Yeah, you do.”
“I’m canceling the deal. I’m pulling the plug. I don’t give a damn how much it costs me or if it costs me everything. It already has. I’m going to give back that damn land. Bryony will never believe that I love her as long as it stands between us. I have to get rid of it and make it a nonissue.”
Slowly Cam nodded. “I agree. It’s the only way you’re going to get her to believe that you love her now.”
To his surprise, all three of his friends nodded their agreement.
“You’re not pissed? We had a lot riding on this.”
“How about you let us deal with the resort plans,” Devon said. “You go after your woman. Settle down. Have babies. Be nauseatingly happy. I’m going to see what I can do to salvage the resort proposal. Maybe we can find another location.”
“I’m not even going to ask,” Rafael said. “Tell me about it later. I owe you. I owe you big.”
“Yeah, well, don’t think I won’t collect. Later. After you’ve kissed and made up with Bryony,” Devon said with a grin.
“Need a ride to the airport?” Ryan asked. “My driver’s still outside. I told him I wouldn’t be long.”
“Yeah. Just let me get my wallet.”
“Not going to pack a bag?” Cam asked.
“Hell, no. Bryony can buy me more jeans and flip-flops when I get down there.”
“After she kicks your ass you mean?” Devon asked.
“I’ll let her do whatever she wants just as long as she takes me back,” Rafael said.
“Good God,” Cam said in disgust. “Could you sound any more pathetic?”
Devon laughed and slapped Cam on the back. “Apparently that’s what falling in love does to a guy. Take my advice. Marry for money and connections, like I am.”
“I think the best idea is to never marry,” Cam pointed out. “Less expensive that way. No costly divorces.”
Rafael shook his head. “And you all called me the bastard. Come on, Ryan. I’ve got a plane to catch.”
“Bryony!”
Bryony turned to see her grandmother waving to her from her deck. Silas stood beside her, watching as Bryony stood close to the water’s edge.
She’d been there for a couple of hours, just watching the water, alone with her thoughts. She knew her grandmother and Silas were both worried. She’d given them an abbreviated version of everything that had happened. No sense in them knowing the extent of Bryony’s stupidity.
They knew enough that Rafael had made a fool of her and would develop the land, but then Bryony had been prepared to give up that fight. So the outcome would be the same, only Bryony wouldn’t have the man she loved.
Bryony waved but turned back to the water, not ready to deal with them yet. Mamaw and Silas had both fussed over her ever since she’d gotten back home. She was exhausted and what she really wanted was to go to sleep for about twenty-four hours, but every time she closed her eyes, she heard Rafael’s words. They wouldn’t go away, she couldn’t make herself stop hearing them no matter how hard she tried.
And she was damn tired of crying. Her head ached so badly from all the tears she’d shed that it was ready to explode.
Her cell phone rang in her pocket and she picked it up, just as she’d done the other twenty times that Rafael had tried to call her. She hit the ignore button and a few seconds later, heard the ding signaling that she had a voice mail. One of the many he’d left her.
What else was there left for him to say? He was sorry? He hadn’t meant to deceive her? Was she supposed to forgive him just because he forgot what a jerk he had been? How could she be sure he hadn’t made it all up just to get her to shut up and not make noises that would scare off his precious investors?
If he kept her
quiet enough for long enough then the deal would be sealed.
She didn’t like how cynical she’d grown. It would never occur to her before that anyone would be so devious, but Rafael had taught her a lot about the world of business and the lengths that some people would go for money.
She hoped he made a ton off his precious resort and she hoped it kept him warm at night. She hoped it made up for all the sweet baby kisses he’d miss.
The thought depressed her. Money was just paper. But a child was something so very precious. Love was precious. And she’d offered it to Rafael freely and without reservation.
She felt like the worst sort of naive fool.
Finally her feet got cold enough from the surf that she could no longer feel her toes, so she turned to trudge back up to her grandmother’s deck. She’d say her goodbyes, assure Mamaw that she’d be just fine and then she’d go home and hopefully sleep for the next day.
As she got close, she saw Rafael standing on the deck and Mamaw and Silas were nowhere to be found. How the hell had he gotten down here so fast? Why would he even bother? She didn’t react to his presence. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
She walked up the steps, past him to collect her sweater and then she started down the walkway that led to her own cottage.
“Bryony,” he called after her. “Wait, please. We have to talk.”
She picked up her pace. She knew he followed her because she could hear his footsteps behind her, but she blindly went on. When she reached to open her door, his hand closed around her wrist and gently pulled her away.
“Please listen to me,” he begged softly. “I know I don’t deserve anything from you. But please listen. I love you.”
She went rigid and closed her eyes as pain crashed over her all over again. When she reopened them she was grateful that no tears spilled over her cheeks. Maybe she’d finally cried herself out.
“You don’t know how to love,” she said in a low voice. “You have to possess a heart and a soul, and you have neither.”
He winced but didn’t let go of her wrist. “I’m not going to lie to you, Bryony. Neither am I going to sugarcoat what I did.”