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.”
Ryan 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.”
“Well, good for you,” she said bitterly. “Does that ease your conscience? Just leave me alone, Rafael. You got what you wanted. You don’t have to deal with me anymore. Just make this easier on both of us. If you’re wanting absolution, see a priest. I can’t offer you any. You should be happy. You got the land. You’ll build your resort. Everyone gets what they want.”
“Not you,” he said painfully. “And not me.”
“Please, Rafael,” she begged. “I’m tired. I’m worn completely out. I just want to sleep before I fall over. Please, just go. I can’t do this with you right now.”
He looked so much like he wanted to argue, but concern darkened his eyes and slowly he eased his fingers from her wrist.
“I love you, Bryony. That’s not going to change. I don’t want it to change. Go get some sleep. Take care of yourself. But this isn’t finished. I’m not letting you go. You think I’m ruthless? You haven’t seen anything yet.”
He touched her cheek and then let it slide down her face before falling away. Then he turned and walked back down the path to her grandmother’s house.
She closed her eyes as pain swelled in her chest and splintered in a thousand different directions. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. But all she could do was stand there numbly while the man she’d given everything to walked away.
Twenty-Three
“It’s been a week,” Rafael said in frustration. “A week and she still won’t acknowledge me, much less talk to me. As much as I loathe the man I used to be, at least he would have no qualms about forcing the issue.”
Rafael stood on Laura’s back deck having a beer with Silas and brooded over the fact that Bryony still refused to see him. He was about to go crazy.
Silas chuckled. “You’ve got stamina, son. I have to give that to you. Most men would have tucked tail and left by now. I’m still amazed that you managed to talk Laura down from killing you and actually got her to side with you. I can’t figure out if you’re the dumbest man alive or just the luckiest.”
Bryony had holed up in her cottage and while Laura went over daily to check in on her, Bryony hadn’t ventured out except to walk on the beach. The one time Rafael had confronted her on the sand, she’d retreated inside. He hadn’t bothered her since because he wanted her to have that time outside without worrying that she’d encounter him.
“I’m not leaving,” Rafael said. “I don’t care how long it takes. I love her. I believe she still loves me, but she’s hurting. I can’t even blame her for that. I was a complete and utter bastard. I don’t deserve her but she’s the one who kept telling me I didn’t have to be the same man. Well, damn it, I’m choosing to be different. I want her to see that.”
Silas put his hand on Rafael’s shoulder. “Around here we have a saying. Go big or go home. I’m thinking you need to go big. Really big.”
Rafael frowned and turned to the other man. “What did you have in mind?”
“It’s not what I have in mind. It’s what you ought to be thinking about. You’ve already promised me and Laura that you have no intention of developing that land, but does she know that? Does the rest of the island know that? Seems to me you’re missing an opportunity to make a grand gesture and prove once and for all you’re a changed man.”
“Okay, I’m with you,” Rafael said slowly.
“No, I don’t think you are. Call a town meeting. I’ll let it leak out that you have a big announcement about the resort. Folks will show up because they’ll want to launch their objections and nothing gets people out to a town meeting more than getting to air their grievances. Trust me, after twenty years of being the sheriff here, I know what I’m talking about.”
“That doesn’t help me when Bryony refuses to leave her cottage,” Rafael pointed out.
“Oh, Laura and I will make sure she’s there. You just worry about how you’re going to humble yourself before everyone,” Silas said with a grin.
Rafael sighed. He had the feeling this wasn’t going to be one of his better moments. He might have no desire to be the unfeeling bastard he’d been before but it didn’t mean he wanted to air his personal life in front of a few hundred witnesses.
But if it would get him in front of Bryony so she’d be forced to listen, he’d swallow his pride and do it.
“Are you crazy?” Bryony sputtered out. “Why would I want to go listen to his spiel about his plans for the resort?”
“Now, Bry, I didn’t imagine you for a coward,” Silas said in exasperation. “By now everyone knows what happened. They don’t blame you.”
“I don’t care what they think,” Bryony said in a low voice. “I was prepared to be the brunt of their censure when I went to New York to tell Rafael to go ahead with the plans, that I wouldn’t fight him.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Mamaw asked.
“I don’t want to see him. Why can’t either of you understand that? Do you have any idea how much it hurts to even look at him?”
“The best thing you can do is show up with your head held high. The sooner you get it over with, the sooner you can start coming out of that cottage of yours. It’s just like a bandage. Better to rip it off and have it done with than to delay the inevitable.”
Bryony sighed. “Okay, I’ll go. If I do, then will you please leave me alone and let me deal with this my own way? I know you’re worried but this isn’t easy for me.”
Mamaw squeezed her into a big hug. “I think things will be a lot better after today. You’ll see.”
Bryony wasn’t as convinced but she allowed Silas and Mamaw to drag her to the municipal building where the meeting would be held. It took everything she had not to run back out the door when Silas led her to a front-row seat.
Talk about being a masochist. She’d have a front-row seat in which to listen to the man she loved announce his plans for a resort made possible by her stupidity.
She sighed and sank into one of the folding chairs. Mamaw and Silas took the spots on either side of her. Several people stopped by to talk to Silas. Some even shot sympathetic looks in her direction.
Yep, it was clear everyone knew what a naive fool she’d been.
At least no one was yelling at her for allowing the outsider to come in and develop the island. Yet.
Rupert strode in a minute later, an uncharacteristic smile plastered on his face. It wasn’t his politician smile. It was a genuine one filled with delight. He looked, for lack of a better word, giddy.
He held up his hands for quiet and then frowned when the din didn’t diminish. He cleared his throat and scowled harder. He was forever complaining to Bryony that he wasn’t given enough respect by his constituents.
Finally Silas stood, held up his hands and hollered, “Quiet, people. The mayor wants your attention.”
Rupert sent Silas a disgruntled look when everyone hushed. Then he looked over the audience and smiled. “Today we have Rafael de Luca of Tricorp Investment Opportunities, who is going to talk about the piece of property he recently acquired here on the island. Give him your undivided attention, please.”
It took all of Bryony’s self-restraint not to swivel in her seat to see if he was here. Many of the assembled people began to murmur, and then Bryony heard footsteps coming up the aisle.
Rafael stepped to the podium and Bryony was shocked by his appearance. First, he was wearing jeans. And a T-shirt. He looked tired and haggard. His hair was unkempt and it didn’t look like he’d shaved that morning.
There were hollows under his eyes and a gray pallor to his skin that hadn’t been present before.
He cleared his throat and glanced over the audience before his gaze finally came to rest on her.
He looked…nervous. It didn’t seem possible that this ultraconfident businessman was nervous. But he seemed uneasy and on edge.
She watched in astonishment as he fiddled with something on the podium and when he looked up again, there was a rawness to his eyes that made her chest tighten.
“I came to this island for one thing and one thing only. I wanted to buy property that Bryony Morgan had put up for sale.”