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The overhead light was on, and Carter gasped. “Who did this to you?”
Scarlett dropped her eyes and didn’t respond. “How did you know about the party?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“I called your home,” Carter dismissed. “Now, tell me his name. As if I can’t guess,” he added bitterly when she didn’t speak. “Did Terini give you that for returning home? Was it how he persuaded you to return to my place tomorrow?”
“I was disrespectful.” Scarlett nearly choked on the words. “It was as much my fault as his.”
“How many times have you been disrespectful?” he asked in a cold voice. “I never considered the possibility he was violent to his children,” he said almost silently.
“This is the first time he’s ever done anything like this, and it’s your fault. You’ve put him under tremendous stress.”
“And hitting a woman is a great stress reliever?” he asked in a rough voice. “What a wise and wonderful man Rocco Terini is.”
“It’s not your business.” Scarlett replaced the mask.
“You look ridiculous with that thing on,” Carter said with a hard laugh. “I’ve already seen the mark, so you can stop hiding behind your mask.”
“I could say the same thing to you,” Scarlett said harshly, without thought. There was a moment of dead silence, and Scarlett’s stomach cramped with fear at his retaliation.
“What does that mean?”
“I’ve never seen you without a suit on. And you wear it like armor.”
“I have my reasons.”
“Oh? I doubt that,” she countered.
He eventually reacted, but not in the way she had expected. “You want to see why I wear long sleeves and suits all the time?” Without waiting for Scarlett’s response, he pulled up his sleeve.
The skin was puckered, lined with red and white scars, and healed burns. The wounds were old, but still fierce, and mouth dropped open. “How did it happen?” she whispered in a shaky voice.
“Acid.” That was his only answer as he fixed his sleeve and then adjusted his bowtie.
The rest of the ride passed in deep, uncomfortable silence, and Scarlett was grateful to escape to her room when they finally arrived back at his estate. It was exactly as she’d left it, with all her clothes still in the bureau and closet. Her things were undisturbed. After checking the bathroom, she removed the dress and slid into bed, wondering if she would sleep. Her afternoon nap had refreshed her, and her eyes resisted closing. Visions of Carter’s ruined arm continually paraded through her head. Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she didn’t know if they were for herself or for him. How he must have suffered. When she finally dropped off, nightmares of her own arm being plunged in acid plagued her sleep.
8
Scarlett
After a poor night’s sleep, Scarlett slept late and didn’t go downstairs until lunchtime. From looking in the mirror, she knew her face was pale, her purple eyes rimmed in red. Darren was on the phone, and he waved at her with two fingers as he continued his conversation. “Yes, the meeting is scheduled for two weeks from tomorrow, Mr. Nancy.” The unseen Mr. Nancy said something, to which Darren responded, “It will go to the highest bidder, just like everything else, sir. Yes, we look forward to seeing you.” Another response, then, “That’s right, the Ritz-Carlton, Banquet room number 2.” He hung up.
“What was that all about?” Scarlett asked as she took a seat on the couch and crossed her legs.
Darren shifted uncomfortably and dropped his eyes. “Just business,” he mumbled.
“My father’s business?”
“It was,” Darren said as he pulled at the collar of his black t-shirt. “You look tired.”
“Long night,” Scarlett said in a neutral voice.
“How’s your ankle?” Darren asked. “Does it still hurt?”
Scarlett nodded. “Yes, it still throbs, and I left my brace at my father’s house.”
“Are you hungry?” Darren asked, ignoring her running away.
“Um hm,” Scarlett confirmed, standing up to follow him in to the dining room. She wondered if Carter would join them, then wondered if they would argue again. Most of their confrontations had happened in this room. Her face warmed as she recalled the one that had taken place in her bedroom. Why couldn’t she just forget that kiss?
