Page 87 of Awaiting the Storm
She saw us.
She saw everything.
But how much did she hear?
Fuck.It doesn’t even matter. The handshakes and congratulatory slaps on the back. Giles sitting there with us … the picture would have been clear enough, even without words.
My jaw clenches.
I never meant for her to find out like that. I planned to tell her myself. Tomorrow. Or hell, even tonight. I was considering driving out to her ranch when I left here to talk to her. But this? Seeing her trainer shaking hands with us? Watching me toast the deal she wasn’t even aware was being negotiated?
It must’ve looked like a betrayal.
It wasn’t supposed to be one.
I pace back and forth, running a hand through my hair, struggling to decide what to do. Should I chase after her or give her some space?After a few moments, I decide that going after her is the right choice. I turn to head back to the valet stand just as the restaurant doors swing open.
And out comes Carl.
Just the sight of him makes my blood run hot.
He’s got that smug, self-satisfied look on his face—and the expression tells me everything I need to know before he opens his damn mouth.
“I knew she couldn’t trust you,” he says with a low snarl, striding toward me like he’s proud of whatever part he played in this.
My fists clench at my sides.
“I should’ve known you were behind this,” I mutter. “Did Giles tell you? Did you lure Matty here?”
Carl shrugs. “She needed to see the truth.”
I take a step closer, my voice low and tight. “You son of a bitch. You think this is going to win your way back into her life? Manipulating her.”
He chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “Call it what you want, but I’m not the one who was smiling like a jackass and toasting with expensive bourbon while stealing Giles right out from under her. You’re not the good guy here, Caison. You think I’m manipulating her? You played with her heart just to take her land, her trainer, and put her out of business.”
My nostrils flare. It takes everything in me not to drive my fist straight into his jaw. I ball my hands tighter, nails digging into my palms.
Then the doors open again, and Holland steps out, followed by Giles. A couple of other diners filter out behind them, talking and laughing. The last thing I need is a scene.
Holland’s eyes bounce between the two of us.
“Everything all right out here, Caison?” he asks.
“Everything’s fine,” I say as I shake my head and start to walk away.
But Carl can’t leave it alone.
“You didn’t deserve her,” he calls after me.
I stop and turn around slowly, getting right in his face. Through gritted teeth, I say, every word sharp and clear, “No. You didn’t deserve her.”
His smirk falters, just a fraction.
I don’t wait for a response. Instead, I turn on my heel and catch Giles’s eyes as I do. He frowns, likely trying to understand what just happened with Carl standing there.
I march toward the valet stand and signal for my truck. The attendant jogs off to retrieve it, and I shove my hands into my pockets, still seething.
When my truck pulls up, I climb in and head straight for Wildhaven Storm.
