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‘No, it’s not.’ With a heavy sigh, he set down his spoon. ‘Your accident had an impact on you. I’m just trying to understand—’
‘I don’t need psychoanalysis, Baron. I already have a therapist!’ The shock on his face made her laugh—only it came out more like a cracked snort. ‘I’ve done the whole twelve-step programme and collected the badges along the way. And before you state the obvious—no, the therapy isn’t working.’
His jaw tightened. ‘Don’t put words in my mouth.’
‘Whatever. I don’t know why you keep pushing. You can’t fix me, so save yourself the trouble.’
‘What happened to break you?’
‘You mean other than being a gullible idiot and not seeing that you’d set out to ruin my grandfather?’
His face darkened, but this time Reiko thought she glimpsed a hint of regret in his eyes.
‘That was not my intention. I was in the middle of opening the Tokyo branch of Gallerie Fortier when my grandfather asked me to investigate what was going on with your grandfather. I merely reacted to the facts and figures in front of me. If I’d known he’d take it so badly—’
‘Your pity is five years out of its use-by date, Baron.’
‘Did you know he owed three times what I agreed to let him repay?’
She hadn’t known. Confusion mingled with all the different emotions rampaging through her. ‘Is that piece of news supposed to soften me up?’
‘It’s supposed to tell you that I’m not always the heartless bastard you think I am.’
Perhaps it was the soft yet implacable assertion. Or maybe it was the large hand that suddenly gripped hers, threading warm fingers through her cold, numb ones. Or it might have been the weariness digging into her soul, causing fresh tears to gather behind her eyes.
Whatever it was, Reiko did the last thing she’d ever intended to do. Staring into Damion’s face, she whispered, ‘You want to know what happened to break me? Watching my grandfather suffer came close enough, but being responsible for my father’s death …? Yep, that clinched the deal.’
Damion witnessed the soul-shattering pain that crossed her face and felt his chest tighten in response.
A shudder raked through her frame, and her face was almost white from the effort it had taken her to utter the words. He reached over and removed the spoon from her grip, laid it down. He, like her, had lost his appetite.
Deep inside he wondered why he was doing this when he’d been so determined not to get personal. Then he thought of Isadora. He’d foolishly taken everything she’d said at face value, hadn’t probed enough until it was too late.
‘How were you responsible?’ he asked.
Haunted eyes met his. ‘Why are you doing this? You’re not insensitive enough not to notice that this isn’t an easy subject for me, so why do you pursue it?’
His unease increased. ‘I don’t mean to distress you—’
A harsh laugh broke from her lips. ‘You’re doing a stellar job, regardless.’
His jaw clenched. ‘You’re as fragile and brittle as sheet glass. One push in the wrong direction and you’ll shatter.’
‘Then stop pushing!’
He tightened his grip. ‘You said yourself the therapy isn’t working. How long do you intend to bury this?’
Angry colour surged into her cheeks. ‘Spare me your pop psychology.’
‘Don’t get snippy.’
‘Back off, Fortier. I might look small but I can hurt you. I’m Japanese. Ninja skills are in-built. I can kill you with a single look.’
Despite the fierceness of her tone, he laughed. ‘You’re only half-Japanese. And I thought ninjas weren’t supposed to reveal their true status?’
He saw her relief at the change of subject and gave her a little reprieve.
She shrugged. ‘It’s only fair to forewarn you. I wouldn’t like you to think I’ve taken unfair advantage.’
