Page 44 of Beautiful Revenge
“What’s there to talk about? Harlow is going to be in Winslet for a while.” Devon takes it upon himself to tell everyone my future plans. “I’m showing her around.”
“Devon is just being nice,” I add, though there was nothing nice about him last night when he bulldozed into my private life.
“We knew your grammy and your mama. Don’t pretend you don’t know your way around town.” Winnie purses her lips before making a little clicking noise with her tongue like I did when I took horseback riding lessons when I was little. “Yep. People are gonna talk.”
“Winnie!” Carl saves us—but really me—as he yells from the kitchen. “Order’s up!”
Winnie’s eyes widen, and she grins. The woman is downright giddy. “I’ll get these orders in and be back so we can get to know each other!”
I wait for her to get out of earshot before I lean over my coffee and whisper, “You give me whiplash. Are you nice or are you a jerk? If you could settle on one, I’d appreciate it.”
Devon lifts his mug to his lips before he shrugs. “It’s not my fault everyone knows you. Everyone thought my resort was good for the economy of Winslet, but it’s nothingcompared to your wedding. It was steroids on crack. Word will get out that you’re spending your honeymoon here alone instead of in Africa. This is all you, Harlow. Unless you planned on hiding away in my suite the whole time you’re here. If that’s the case, then you can blame me for everyone tripping over their wide eyes. But I know you didn’t plan to hide out. I saw your reservation with the tennis pro tomorrow.”
My shoulders slump as I lean back in my chair. “I had a lot to think through. Being the talk of Winslet was low on my list. Honestly, it didn’t even make the list. And a game of tennis will loosen my nerves.”
He lets that sink in and studies me over the rim of his mug as he takes another drink. “After what I learned about you last night, it’s the last thing you should be worried about. Especially in this sleepy little town. Everyone is harmless.”
I focus on my coffee and hope silently that he’s right. I have bigger things to worry about than the locals.
Devon doesn’t stop, and it feels like I’m being interrogated. “Since we’re living together and I’m not calling the authorities on you, maybe you should fill me in on your plans.”
I take a sip and lick my lips. Mmm. It’s bold and refreshing. A nice change from the Humphries family brand that I’ve had no choice but to drink since Albert tripped into my life like a nightmare.
“Harlow.” He bites my name out low for only me to hear. It might as well be a demand. “What are you going to do with your father?”
Since Devon knows everything, this is something I can talk about. “I’m not sticking with the status quo. He has a new team of doctors and specialists. When I spoke to Chrissie this morning, he was stable after the move. They’re starting tests and evaluating his medications. I want real answers. I know he’s not young and spry, but there has to be a reason he’s gone from healthy to bedridden in a matter of months.”
“How long do you think you can keep this under wraps? A missing billionaire doesn’t go unnoticed for long.”
I pick up my coffee again and take a long sip. Confirmingsomething Devon already knows is very different than offering him more information. “I wonder what Carl is going to whip up for me?”
Devon hikes a brow. “You don’t trust me.”
Not a question.
“You’re intuitive. If you knew what I’ve gone through, you’d know why I trust very few people.”
“What more do I need to do to earn your trust?” he demands. “I hand delivered your breakup note. I booted Bertie off my property for you. Gave you a place to stay even though you haven’t told me why you want to stay in town. And there’s the fact I know your biggest secret. Tell me what else you want, and I’ll give it to you.”
I lower my voice, but that doesn’t make it any less biting. “Moving my father is hardly my biggest secret. And forgive me for being a little gun-shy, but you’re awfully demanding. When you offered me a room, I didn’t know it was conditional on sharing all my personal baggage and deep-seated secrets.”
He shakes his head. “Nothing is conditional when it comes to me.”
“I’m a Madison. Everything is conditional. It’s how the world works. Sometimes those conditions are more menacing than others.” I’m sure the old table that sits between us has probably heard a million stories and secrets over the decades.
When Devon leans on his forearms, he’s close. So close, it’s easy to study the flecks in his deep blue eyes as he levels his gaze on me. “Now we’re getting somewhere. You haven’t met the right man. No one in his right mind would put conditions on you. That arsehat did some real damage.”
Again, not a question.
I give him a little shrug. “I didn’t leave him at the altar for no reason.”
He lifts his chin. “And that’s what I want to know. And when I want something, I usually get it. Knowing why you stood up your fiancé is at the top of the list. It seems the longer you keep it from me, the more I want it.”
I hold my ground no matter how much I want to put extra space between us. “That’s not going to happen. Youshould temper your expectations sooner rather than later. There’s no need to go through life disappointed.”
His tongue sneaks out and wets his lips as his focus never wavers. He’s unapologetically picking me apart from the inside out. “Damn, Harlow. Now I want it even more.”
No bullshit.
