by Susanna Carr
She flattened her hand against her chest. “And you used it against me.”
Cooper flinched. Her words were like a jagged dagger to the heart. How could she think he would do this to her? “No.”
She hastily wiped her fingertips under her eye. “I didn’t realize my pain would give you inspiration.”
“I’m not that kind of man.” He felt sick that Serena would think that. He had shown her a side of himself that no one else saw. The vulnerable side that needed love and understanding. What had she seen in him that made her think he wanted her to suffer? “You, of all people, should know that.”
“This is what I know.” Her voice was laden with disappointment. “You learned all the tricks of the trade from your father. You also will do anything to win and to protect your family.”
“That’s not true.” It had been once. When building the family empire was the only thing in his life. But that had changed.
“Right, right.” She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “You won’t break the law. You will seduce me, bed me, twist me inside out...”
“You were the seductress.” He would never forget the way she’d stripped her clothes off as she invited him into her bed. She could not take that away from him.
Her cheeks were bright red but she didn’t look away. “Don’t act like you’re the innocent bystander, Cooper. It doesn’t suit you.”
“And don’t act so cold with me.” His hand gripped her wrist tighter. “We both know that’s a lie.”
She leaned forward. “Believe me, you will prefer the coldness to the rage.”
“Show me the rage. I can take it.” He didn’t want her to hide anything from him. He wanted to know everything she was feeling. Understand what was going on in her mind. Find out why she thought he was untrustworthy.
He saw the twitch at her mouth and the fire in her eyes. He wanted her to break past the barrier and stop protecting herself against him.
Her eyes narrowed. “Whatever I felt about you is gone.”
Cooper clenched his teeth. Her words pricked at the fear deep inside him. That he was unlovable. That there was something inherently wrong with him and he didn’t deserve to be loved or feel affection. Serena didn’t love him. Didn’t trust him. Instead, she wanted to immediately discard what they had.
He refused to believe that what he shared with Serena was that weak and temporary. He wanted to prove that what they had was still there. “I’m warning you, Serena.”
“Or what?” she said. “What could you possibly do that you haven’t done already? And to think I shared my bed with you. My body. My h—”
His mouth went crashing down on hers. Cooper knew he was losing her and this was the only hold he had over Serena. He gripped the back of her head and poured everything he felt into the kiss. The desperation, the love, the desire and the fear.
She bit down on his lip and Cooper yanked his head back. His lip throbbed as he stared at her flushed face. Serena’s eyes were big and wild.
“Let go of me right now,” she ordered.
“I can’t,” he confessed in a hoarse whisper. If he let go, she would be gone forever. He belonged to her and she didn’t want him. “Not until you see the truth.”
“You mean your version of the truth.” She pulled away from him and marched to the door. “Is this where you tell me how much you want to take care of me? Is this your idea of protection? And you wonder why I didn’t take you up on your offer.”
“You didn’t accept my offer because you couldn’t allow yourself to rely on a man. Especially me.” His shoulders slumped in defeat. “Nothing I say or do will change your mind because you are caught in the past.” He wanted to go after her but it would only make it worse. “I should have known that you gave up too easily. You were just waiting for an excuse to continue. It didn’t matter how small or flimsy one might be.”
“Flimsy?” She almost choked on the word. Serena whirled around. “You are trying to wreck my family’s livelihood. Again. You’re trying to return me to the violent, filthy and hopeless world. Do you think that will make me weak? Scared?”
“No,” he said as he studied her. Serena stood tall and proud before him even in defeat. Her chin was thrust out in defiance and her eyes flashed with cold fury. “That place makes you angry and even more determined.”
“So you do understand me.” Serena opened the door and looked over her shoulder. “Get ready for a storm, Cooper, because I’m going to unleash everything I have on you.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SERENA STARED AT the signature line of the document. This was the last step to finalize her deal. Why was she disappointed that there was nothing more? It didn’t make sense.
She pressed the fountain pen on the thick paper and signed her name with a flourish. There. She tossed down the pen and leaned back in the chair. She had done it. She had transferred the Harrington shares to Spencer Chatsfield.
Serena folded her hands in her lap and twisted the oversize ring around her finger. She glanced at the Brazilian citrine stone but the talisman did nothing for her this time. She remembered when her mother had worn the cocktail ring at glamorous parties while reigning over her social world. It had been Beatriz’s goal. Her dream come true. Serena always associated the yellow gem with achievement.
She should be proud of her achievement. It had been touch and go but she had fulfilled her promise. She had done something that almost no one believed she could accomplish. She had snatched the Harrington shares away from Cooper Brock. Made him yield to her command because there was nothing he could do about it.
So why didn’t she feel triumphant? The thrill of victory didn’t strum through her veins. If anything, she felt broken and alone. Tired.
Serena closed her eyes and tried to shore up her remaining strength. It had been a difficult week. Beatriz Dominguez had been hysterical at the mere thought of Aaron Brock. Her wealthy benefactor had not been understanding and did not care for Beatriz’s dramatic behavior. Serena was grateful that she had missed the epic argument that led to Beatriz’s breakup but she wished she had been there for her mother. She had promised to protect and care for her parents and forgot about that when she went after the Brock empire.
But if there was one thing Serena had learned from her parents, it was to keep up the image. She lifted her chin and rolled back her shoulders. Always look more successful than you are. Show confidence when you feel insecure. She gave a warm smile even though she felt empty inside. Don’t let anyone see you cry.
“Congratulations, Spencer.” She was impressed that her husky voice didn’t betray her inner turmoil.
“Thank you.” Spencer Chatsfield smiled. Serena noticed he was handsome but she didn’t find him as fascinating as Cooper Brock. “Shall we have a toast to our success?”
“I wish I could but I have another appointment,” Serena lied as she reached for her purse and rose from her chair. She had to get back to her mother, who had taken to her bed. Serena was determined to give her the best care she needed immediately. It felt as if history was repeating itself but she would not allow the results to be the same. This time she wasn’t going to wait and hope for the best. She wouldn’t pray that someone would save them. She would protect her family from falling back into hell even if her parents didn’t think she had the power to do so. Despite Serena’s assurances that she would always take care of her mother, Beatriz was deeply concerned about her future now that she didn’t have a man supporting her.
“Another time, then.” Spencer stood up. “I’m impressed, Serena. You managed to get these shares in record time.”
“I had done my research.” Or thought she did. What was it that Cooper had said? She hadn’t understood the animal she was hunting. Aaron she understood, but Cooper was different. She thought he wouldn’t use the passion and love she felt for him. She
believed she could trust him. He had been her weakness. Her blind spot. Just as he had planned.
“I hope we will do business together in the future,” Spencer interrupted her thoughts.
Serena gave a sharp nod but didn’t say anything. She may have given that as the reason for doing this deal but it didn’t interest her. This kind of cutthroat business wasn’t for her. Cooper had been correct: this revenge had almost been her undoing.
He and his father had been very close to destroying her family for a second time. And then, quite suddenly, they had stopped. She knew that was Cooper’s doing. Aaron would have continued until there was nothing left.
Why did Cooper stop his father? Was he flexing his muscles, showing what he could do on a whim? Did he no longer care because he had other priorities? Or was this the calm before the storm?
Serena was worried, bracing herself for the next onslaught. Her mother was shaken and Felipe had been furious that she had continued the battle for revenge. Beatriz blamed her for her current predicament. The constant refrain she had heard for the past few days was why couldn’t she have left it alone.
She wished she had. Serena knew it could have been worse. She still had her money and her home. And yet, she wished she had never met Cooper Brock. Her instincts had failed her. She’d finally given her trust and her heart but it was to the wrong man.
“How did you get Cooper to let go of the shares?” Spencer asked as he escorted her to the door. “A piece of The Harrington is a good investment.”
“I had leverage.” She paused as the hurt and anger pressed against her chest. All those years of gathering the information and it only caused her family more grief. “Ammunition.”
Spencer’s blue eyes narrowed. “What kind of ammunition? Brock is a respected businessman.”
Have you looked closely at his first deal? And how much do you know about his father? The questions tingled at the tip of her tongue. Serena parted her lips and stopped.
Why was she hesitating? She would only be telling the truth. This was her chance to hurt Cooper the way he had hurt her. All she had to do was share what she knew about Aaron Brock. She could produce the evidence if she needed to.
“Cooper will do anything to protect what is his,” she began as her heart began to pound. This wasn’t a huge revelation. Everyone knew that Cooper Brock was territorial and possessive. And yet she felt disloyal for even saying it.
“Whatever you had must have been a real threat. I’m sure he didn’t surrender these shares easily.”
“No, he didn’t.” She still remembered the look on Cooper’s face when they were in the pool. The defeat had extinguished the twinkle in his silver eyes. The agony was stamped on his face. It had been like a punch to her chest because she remembered how it felt to be that vulnerable. She hadn’t wanted to be the cause of such pain.
She could tell herself that she didn’t want to lower herself to Aaron Brock’s level but it was more than that. She didn’t want to hurt Cooper. Today she could convince herself that revealing the secrets would be just. It was an eye for an eye. Cooper deserved it and he had brought it on himself.
But she couldn’t destroy him.
Pain radiated from Serena. Cooper had taken advantage of her feelings and tempted her with an idyllic love affair. But there was no love, at least not on his part.
“What was the ammunition?” Spencer asked.
She recalled the thick file that was tucked away in her home. The brown folder was creased and worn in some places. It represented years of work. Why not use it? Why not flex her muscles and show Cooper she couldn’t be destroyed?
No, she was ending this now. It was the only way to move on and to heal. Serena gave a shake to her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It no longer exists.”
Spencer frowned. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged and wished she hadn’t brought it up. Even now, after Cooper had betrayed her, she still felt the need to protect him. She loved him when she shouldn’t. “I used it to make this deal happen and it’s gone now. And everyone gets what they wanted. I call this a success.”
“I got the shares and Cooper got the Alves land deal. What did you get?”
“What I deserved.” She gave a tight smile as the pain inside her intensified. “Goodbye, Spencer. I look forward to working with you again.”
He shook her hand and let her out of his office. She wasn’t sure what Spencer said as she focused on ignoring the pain. When he went back into his office and closed the door, Serena paused to retrieve her cell phone. She was sure her mother had left several messages.
“John, Jr.?” she heard Spencer say in his office. “Spencer Chatsfield. I’m calling to buy your remaining shares of The Harrington.”
Serena tilted her head closer to the door.
“Yes, I said remaining shares. I just bought the shares that Cooper Brock won from you at the poker game. Now my shares match Isabelle’s, I have every faith I can win over the last shareholder with the final two percent. The Harrington will become the latest Chatsfield acquisition.”
Serena bit her bottom lip when she heard Spencer’s victorious laugh and immediately walked away from the door. What was going to happen next? John Harrington, Jr., knew Cooper no longer had the shares. He could spill all his secrets about Cooper. How would Cooper protect himself?
She shook her head. She shouldn’t care how this affected Cooper. He would find a way to protect himself and his company. She couldn’t afford to care about Cooper Brock. The man betrayed her and she was concerned about him. When would she ever learn? It was time for her to move on, once and for all.
* * *
“Cooper?”
Cooper heard Aaron Brock’s deep scratchy voice ring through his home followed by the clomp of heavy boots. He stepped out of his office and saw his father stride down the corridor. The older man wore a blue flannel shirt and faded jeans. He had taken off his cowboy hat and was ruffling his hand through his short gray hair.
Once again he was struck by the similarities he shared with his father. They were both tall and lean. Everyone knew where Cooper inherited the silver eyes and hooked nose. But the lines crisscrossing Aaron Brock’s tanned face told a story of struggle and sacrifice.
“Hi, Dad.” Cooper leaned against the door frame as his father approached. “Glad you could make it.”
“What in tarnation is going on? I flew down here as fast as I could.” Aaron’s mouth twisted. “I actually get to step foot in your ranch? Hell must have frozen over.”
Cooper gave a deep sigh. He didn’t know how many times he had to explain this to his father. “You were never banned, Dad. You’ve been to my other homes.”
“But never this one,” Aaron pointed out. He stepped into the office and looked around with a deep curiosity. He wrinkled his nose at the clean, contemporary lines of the room and the modern furniture.
Cooper followed him. He wasn’t going to explain that this house was different. It wasn’t the townhome he had in the city where he entertained clients and colleagues. It wasn’t like the penthouse apartments he had around the world that were places he could stay while he traveled. This place was his sanctuary. No one but Serena had been invited to stay.
Serena. Cooper closed his eyes. He suddenly remembered how she looked sleeping in his bed. Her dark brown hair fanned the pillow, her arms and legs sprawled across the mattress in wild abandon. She had stolen most of the sheets during the night and they had twisted around her naked body. But what he remembered most was that she had appeared soft and trusting. Peaceful and beautiful.
His father stood at the wall of windows and studied Cooper’s land. His ranch went as far as the eye could see. Aaron gave a nod of approval and turned to his son. “So what’s the urgency?”
Cooper walked over to his sleek wood desk. It was almost bare, wit
h the exception of his laptop computer and an old brown folder that was bulging at the worn seams. “Serena Dominguez sent me the file she had on you.”
When he had seen the file, with no letter, nothing personal, he knew this wasn’t a grand gesture of love. It wasn’t even an act of surrender or a show of trust. Serena was making it very clear that any business they had was finished. She was severing their connection.
Aaron’s smile split his weathered face. He tossed his hat on the desk, the crown upside down. “Good. I told you she needed a scare.”
Anger billowed in Cooper’s chest and he took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to get into a shouting match with his father. He had to show where Aaron went wrong and how it could never happen again.
“No,” Cooper bit out, “that scare almost cost you. I’m surprised she didn’t release the information the minute she found out what you had done behind my back.”
“Behind your back?” Aaron gave him a dark look. “I was protecting you. Protecting this family.”
Cooper shoved his hands in his hair. Aaron Brock was protecting his legacy, nothing more. “I told you that I had everything under control. You undermined my authority.”
“Authority?” Aaron gave a snort. “That Dominguez woman had you wrapped around her little finger. She was going to dangle the file and have you jump every time she gave an order.”
Cooper had been spellbound and he’d had no interest in breaking it. He also knew that Serena was under his spell. It was a constant balancing act but he didn’t think she would use her power against him. She had trusted him and, with a woman like Serena, along came love. She had never said it, but he knew.
But that could be wishful thinking on his part. She wasn’t reacting as he thought she would. He knew Serena wouldn’t betray him unless she felt threatened. She had been under attack and instead of confronting him, fighting tooth and nail, Serena had been silent and kept her distance.
“What took her so long to send the file?” Aaron asked as he grabbed the file and opened it. “And why did she mail it to your ranch?”