Page 179 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Still Adam said nothing, instead choosing to walk over to the wine rack and pluck a bottle of red out.

“I’m partly to blame,” Matt added with resignation.

“Don’t be a ridiculous,” Adam groused as he went about opening the bottle. “She’s a tart. Her behaviour has nothing to do with you and everything to do with her nature. She bloody hid it well, I’ll tell you that. Fooled us all.” Adam was getting angrier each passing second. His loyalty came pouring out now Matt had removed his initial doubts. “And if she thinks she’ll get one penny from you, she’s sorely mistaken. Have you started divorce proceedings? Please tell me you have.”

“Legally we have to wait until 12 months of marriage have passed before I can apply for a divorce, but my solicitors are fully abreast of the situation and steps are being put into place.”

Adam got two wine glasses out of the cupboards and filled them to the brim. Ignoring the need to let the wine air, he handed a glass to Matt then took a deep gulp of his own.

“Why the hell did you shag her today then? Knowing what a little whore she’s turned out to be.” Adam burst out.

Matt winced at Adam’s crude words and stared at the red liquid in his glass for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. “It just happened. I went to drop some mail off, and we argued,” He snorted in disgust at his own behaviour as he raised his gaze to Adam. “She had these heels on, and her curls were loose, and this sexy dress that…it just happened.”

“Stay away from her,” Adam cautioned him. “God. If I ever see that bitch-”

“Adam,” Matt wearily cut him off.

“What?” Adam spat out. “How dare she cheat on you? You’re a bloodyBradleyand she’s nothing more than a low class mercenary slut. I knew I should have never let my guard down with her.”

Matt realized Adam’s anger wasn’t simply due to sibling solidarity. He too felt betrayed by Madi’s actions, and it was clear Adam didn’t like feeling a fool.

“I’m still married to her,” Matt reminded him.

“For the time being,” Adam retorted, taking a moment to gulp some more wine. “When Dad finds out-”

“Don’t,” Matt blurted out. “Don’t say anything to Mum or Dad, or anyone else, it’s bad enough Louisa was the one who brought this to my attention. I can’t stomach the thought of everyone giving me pitying looks and knowing how much of a fool I was.”

Adam grumbled unhappily as he regarded Matt, then said with cold conviction. “We’re going to destroy her. Mark my words, Matt. Everything she has, we’ll take it from her. No one crosses us and gets away with it.”

Matt placed his wine glass down on the counter. Yes, she had broken his heart, and yes, he had wanted her to hurt; but their time apart had mellowed his desire for revenge. All he could think of now was the way he’d left her in bed. She had automatically rolled into the space he vacated, murmuring his name and snuggling into the pillow. God. He fucking missed her.

“I didn’t put her first,” Matt said softly. “I promised I would, but I didn’t.”

“What?” Adam growled. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“She’s younger than me, Adam-”

“That’s not an excuse.” Adam’s incensed voice filled the space.

“And I work all the time, travel all the time, her only family lives far away and she gets so sad sometimes. She thinks I can’t see it but,” Matt’s words tapered off. He’d been dwelling on it these past weeks. Thinking over everything. Of course, Madi’s infidelity was the ultimate cause of the breakdown of their marriage, but he feared deep down he had pushed her to it.

“You’re still in love with her.” Adam stated without emotion.

Matt shrugged, turning away from his brother’s searching gaze. “I’m tired and need a shower. Good night.” He walked out the kitchen with Adam’s parting words of warning reaching his ears.

“You’d better stay away from her, and I’m telling Nathan!”

CHAPTER 21

A forced smilestretched my lips wide and I willed serenity into my eyes. Dante stared at me, as if trying to read my mind by just looking at my face. It was an intense look.

“I’m staying with you.” he repeated.

“It’ll be fine, D,” I tried to reassure him. “I think it’s time I did this on my own, don’t you?”

He sat down on the bench in our changing rooms and began pulling on his ballet shoes. Braided head bent he said, “Sol and Bret aren’t coming this year,” He raised his concerned gaze to mine once again. “And now you’re telling me you’ll be fine on your own? I’m staying.”

The fake smile on my lips was replaced by a grimace. “I need you in Birmingham-”

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