Page 64 of Something Old

“Really?” She arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize I had that much power over Ethan.”

“Neither did I.” The last was said almost under his breath, as if not meant for her to hear. “He wants to take care of you in the manner in which he can only do if he comes back to Van Owen Financial. He’ll even abandon his love, the vineyard, for you.”

She furrowed her brow. “I would move to the vineyard if he wants.”

William laid a hand on her hand, his expression sympathetic. “Can you really be happy there? Just think about it. If Ethan returns to Houston, you can be back on top.”

She pulled her hand away. “I only want Ethan to be happy. I don’t need him to be in Houston. My mom is moving, so I have nothing keeping me there.”

He moved his hand back to his leg and leaned back against the chair back, frowning to himself. After several moments, he spoke. “I hadn’t heard that. I would have thought that would have been mentioned in this article.”

He pulled a folded-up, thin magazine out of his jacket and placed it on the table between them. The headline screamed “Martin Winters—Five Years Later.”

The porch swam in front of her eyes and she stared at the article, at the headline in big block letters. Damn, she had forgotten all about the article her mother had mentioned to her a lifetime ago, even though it was only last week. Numbly, she picked it up but couldn’t seem to focus on it. She looked over at William, who studied her intently.

“This is why you can never be with Ethan, not as long as he works for me. You will always drag him down. You can’t outrun your past, Delaney, even if you change your name. You only have one choice. Leave Houston forever.”

His words fell like a bomb between them, and she struggled to not react, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had affected her.

She put the article back on the table without reading it, lifting a cool gaze to William. “So, I’ll go to the vineyard.”

“That’s no longer an option for Ethan. He knows this. He has to do his duty by his family and return to the firm. But if he brings you along with him, well, you saw what happened before.” He relit his cigar and puffed on it, smug satisfaction radiating off him like the noxious fumes from his cigar.

Delaney’s stomach lurched, and she wasn’t sure if it was from the smoke or fear. She narrowed her gaze and thought about the situation. What did he really want? It was obvious he wanted Ethan back with the family and her long gone. Clearly, Ethan had a different perspective on his prospective return and her role in that.

She folded her arms. “This isn’t the past. A lot has changed.”

“But a lot has not changed. Including the fact you’re the daughter of a thief.”

“My father is dead.”

“You forget the many news stories about your extravagances and spending. Your reputation was irreparably damaged by the scandal. And investors have long memories. We’ve just gotten rid of the black cloud of suspicion. If Ethan takes over for me with you as his wife, then he can never come out from under the cloud.”

She laughed. “Seriously? I think you’re overestimating my influence, William.”

“Really?” He arched his eyebrow. “Are you willing to take that chance and risk ruining Ethan’s future and his family’s heritage and watching his love turn to hate?”

Delaney unfolded herself from the chair and stood slowly, repositioning the pashmina over her shoulders. “William, I’m sorry if you think I’m such a threat to you and your family. But if you have these issues, take them up with Ethan. You won’t manipulate me again, like you did before. Don’t think I don’t know that you convinced me I could ruin you and Ethan back then. I am a different person now. I trust Ethan, and he trusts me.”

William also stood, much more slowly than usual, as if his legs were weaker than before. For the first time, Delaney noticed how much thinner he was, more pale than before, and guilt pricked her.

“You know nothing, Delaney. You don’t know Ethan. I’m only doing what I think is best for him because it’s clear he’s still blinded by lust or guilt over the past. Maybe it’s my fault. I instilled in him an overdeveloped sense of responsibility.”

“You think he’s with me because of guilt or pity?” She laughed. “You keep thinking that if it helps. You realize he’s a grown man and not under your thumb anymore. How are you treating him any different, manipulating him with rumors of your health?”

“They’re not rumors. My doctors have told me I need to slow down, begin thinking of retirement.” He looked at her for a long moment, glimmers of his past strength coming through in his steady gaze. “I can see I won’t change your mind. I’m not doing this for me, but for him. Please think about it and the impact on him before you decide. Don’t destroy anyone else, Delaney. You saved him once. Please think beyond yourself. If you do this, I believe I can persuade Kira to back off from you at the museum. That way, everybody wins.”

He strode past her, then paused. “You can keep the article. I think it makes my point more eloquently than I ever could.”

He opened the door to the hotel, the light and noise spilling out into the darkness momentarily, only to be cut off abruptly with a bang.

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