Chapter 32
DEVLIN
“Don’t do that again,” Devlin growled, his voice a dangerous, low rumble.
Claudia merely laughed, the sound of it cold and brittle like cracking ice. She reached for his hand again, a gesture meant for the camera, but he yanked it back, fury rising in him like a wave. They were standing in the corridor outside his room, next to a bank of huge windows that let in the morning light and the nosy lens of a reporter.
The clinic was ridiculously expensive, and one reason for that was it was supposed to be completely private and completely secure. But Devlin had already spotted at least three people — including a staff member — taking photographs of him through the windows. One of those photos had been snapped just as Claudia had grabbed his hand, and he knew it wouldn’t be long before it hit the news outlets and the rumours would explode.
“Oh, Devlin, do stop being such a child,” said Claudia, barely sparing him a glace as she examined her nails. “Did you leave your spine out there in the mountains?”
The hatred he felt for her was immense, like a dark storm brewing out on the horizon. It wasn’t just a flash of anger, it was something that had been building in him for a while now. Fuelled by her cruelty and manipulation, by her relentless need for fame and to control his narrative. But she refused to leave, and the clinic was reluctant to throw her out — too intimidated by her status. Claudia Romano was a big name and no one wanted the bad press that came with crossing her, especially when she was still listed as next of kin on his paperwork.
All Devlin wanted to do was get out of here and find Darcy, but there were hurdles at every turn. His release papers weren’t signed and his clothes were nowhere to be seen. If they didn’t hurry, then he was going to walk out of the door in his hospital pyjamas. Let the press take photos of that .
At least his fever had broken, the haze of illness lifting now that he was awake. His body still ached all over — his arm especially — but there was a newfound energy thrumming through him. A sharp clarity that hadn’t been there before. He felt as good as new. He felt better than new, because he felt like a different person entirely. Something fundamental had shifted in him during his time on the mountains. He could feel it in his bones and he was pretty sure it wasn’t just the morphine.
He walked back into his room, pacing like a tiger locked in a cage. Claudia followed him.
“I’m not going to tell you again,” he said. “I want you to leave.”
But Claudia just smiled a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. It was the smile of someone who knew they held all the cards and it made his skin crawl.
“And I’ve told you, that’s not going to happen,” she said. “I’ve scheduled a press conference for an hour from now — your suit is on its way from the resort. You’re going to sit in front of the world’s media and tell them that we are back together.”
“Why on earth would I do that?” he said, shaking his head at the absurdity of her demand. “You’re out of your mind if you think I’d ever want to be back with you.”
“You have to do it,” she said, walking up to him and running a hand through his hair. “Or I’ll tell the world who the real Devlin Storm is.”
Devlin shook his head. Her words gave him pause.
“What do you mean?” he said.
“I mean, I’ll tell them exactly what you’re like,” she went on, smiling. “All the ways you manipulated me. How you controlled me. And, of course, they’ll believe me. I was young, vulnerable, hopelessly in love with you. And you’re . . . well, you.” She let out a soft laugh, tilting her head. “By the time your lawyers scramble to deny it, the damage will have been done. You won’t just lose your reputation, you’ll lose everything.”
“That’s a lie,” Devlin roared, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Even for you, that’s just pathetic.”
“Of course it’s a lie.” Claudia shot back. “I’m asking for one tiny favour. That’s all. Pretend we’re together. That way I get back in front of the camera. But you won’t do it because of this secretary you kept mumbling about when you were drugged. I won’t lose my lifestyle because you’ve lowered your standards. One word from me and your reputation is in tatters. Everyone will see just how much of a fake you really are, and Devlin, no one buys a fake.”
Devlin felt as if he’d been drenched in ice-cold water. She was right. If the world believed Claudia’s lies, then it was over. Everything. Everyone loved the image of the famous arrogant designer who had his life together. But if he didn’t do this for her, then it wasn’t just his reputation on the line, it was his entire life. His business employed thousands of people who depended on him. Could he risk all that just to save his reputation?
He knew the answer, and though he hated himself for it, he nodded at Claudia. His image, his brand, it was too big, too important for too many people.
Devlin shut off his emotions the way he’d always done, regarding Claudia with a hard, blank stare.
“There he is,” Claudia said, smiling. “My Devlin. Welcome home. Now wait here while I check on your suit.”