CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE #2
“That’s not true,” I said defiantly, stepping up next to Declan, feeling confident and secure for the first time since this conversation started.
Because no matter what Declan was feeling, I knew he would never allow me to be disrespected.
So, I spoke my truth. “You never wanted me to take your last name. You told me that, for ‘professional reasons’, I should consider keeping my own name. That it would work out best when I started publishing. You even brought up all the hassle I’d have to go through to change my driver’s license, passport, and other legal documents.
God… how had I not seen how controlling and manipulative you were? ”
“Manipulative?” Seth balked. “Me? I’m the one who’s manipulative?
Melodie, you’ve been fucking my boss to get back at me!
” He paused, frowning. “Wait a minute… is that why you were pushing to get a divorce so fast? So you could run off and be with some rich guy? Wow, Melodie, I never took you for a gold digger.”
“Maybe because you never had any gold for me to dig!” I spat, and as soon as the words came out of my mouth, I froze.
I remembered the conversation Declan and I had when he’d first taken me to his apartment, and I saw how well off he was; how he never told people that he was rich because they tended to use him for his money. And I’d gone and blurted out the stupidest, most untrue thing I’d ever said.
I tore my rage-filled gaze away from Seth and peered up at Declan, expecting him to be furious with me. But, no.
His hand covered his mouth, and his shoulders—his whole body, really—vibrated as he shook with laughter.
I was confused. “Declan, are you—”
“No gold to dig!” he blurted out, then dissolved into a full-blown belly laugh.
“All right, that’s enough,” Seth barked, grabbing hold of my wrist and pulling me toward him. “We need to talk in private.”
That seemed to sober up Declan straightaway, because his hand clamped down on Seth’s, and I felt the strength of his grip in the pressure of my still-bound wrist.
“I think the fuck not,” Declan snarled, stepping into Seth’s personal space, crowding him and forcing him to step back and release my arm. “She’s not going anywhere with you. And if you touch her again without her expressed permission, I’ll break your fucking arm.”
Seth smirked. “I’d like to see you try, Mr. Billionaire CEO. That sounds to me like a lawsuit waiting to happen… Matter of fact, that does sound like a great idea. I wouldn’t mind dragging you to court and taking half of your assets as compensation for the abuse.”
“You sound like a bitter ex-girlfriend,” Declan declared.
“And I think you’re confused about how far I’ll go to protect my woman.
I’ll gladly give up half my fortune and more for the opportunity to lay you the fuck out.
But considering you still work for me, I suggest you get your ass to the conference room, right the fuck now, and prepare to answer for your gross misconduct and improper use of company funds. ”
Seth bared his teeth, and for a moment, I thought he was going to throw a punch. But I should have known better. Seth was a coward.
Instead, he glared daggers at my boyfriend and his apparent boss—I was still in disbelief about that part—then stormed off, presumably to the previously mentioned conference room.
Sighing, Declan turned to face me, and a sudden rush of shame washed over me.
I’d brought drama and dysfunction to his place of business, and I was so incredibly disappointed in myself.
I wouldn’t blame him if he wanted to break up with me right here.
I brought him nothing but shame and embarrassment.
Someone like me wasn’t fit to be with someone like him.
I didn’t fit into his world of money and extravagance. And now this?
“Hey, shh,” Declan cooed, his warm hands running up and down the length of my arms, trying to soothe me.
“I can practically see the wheels in your head turning. I promise this doesn’t change anything between us.
I have questions, of course. But nothing that will ever make me think less of you.
” He cupped my face and urged me to meet his gaze.
“No negative thoughts, okay? Promise me?”
I nodded.
“Words, love. I need your words.”
“I promise,” I rasped, voice hoarse and aching all of a sudden, like I’d been screaming for years and was finally given a reprieve.
“Good.” Declan smiled, bright and genuine. “Go on. Steven will take you home, and Cassidy will stop by to keep you company until I get there. This meeting might be a little more hostile than I expected, now that I know the person the board wants to fire is your ex.”
“Fire?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Declan eyed me speculatively. “Is that concern I hear for your ex-husband?”
I scoffed. “What? Hell no. You can fire that bastard a million times over. What I mean is, what led them to want to fire him? It… it wasn’t because of this, was it? Because of me?”
Declan shook his head. “No, darling. It’s been a long time coming. I can’t say anymore until after the meeting, but I’ll fill you in when I get home.”
I gazed up into his emerald green eyes. “Doesn’t that, like, I don’t know… breach some kind of company policy?”
Declan shrugged. “I’m sure it does, but I don’t care. I’m the boss, and you’re my romantic partner. I can tell you anything I want. My version of de-stressing, I suppose.”
“Your preferred way of unwinding is… pillow talk?”
“Now, there’s a word I haven’t heard in a while.” He grinned, then arched an imperious brow, putting on a haughty English accent that sounded terrible with his Irish lilt. “We shall pillow talk tonight, beloved?”
I laughed. Hard. Then I took his face in my hands and went up on my tiptoes to brush a tender kiss across his lips.
“We shall. Now, go to your meeting. And please… watch your back,” I warned. “Seth is acting wild and out of character. I wouldn’t put it past him to try something physical.”
“I wish the motherfucker would.”
“Declan,” I chided.
“Fine, I’ll behave, and I’ll keep an eye out for him.” He smiled then. “You’ll be safe with Steven. He’s ex-military and knows how to handle himself in an emergency. He’ll keep you safe in my absence. But text me once you’ve made it home, okay?”
I nodded my agreement, handed him his hard drive, kissed him one last time, then trotted back from whence I came.