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Chapter 1
Grace
I’m reeling so fastemotionally, I’m nauseous. Drawing a deep breath, I struggle to pull myself out of this daze. I glance at Devlin, Rowan’s lawyer, then back at the check she handed me.
Fifty thousand dollars. Rowan is offering me that much to leave him alone. It makes no sense, but why else would his lawyer hand me a check and tell me to pack up and leave? He has that much money to throw around toget ridof people? I’ve made the mistake of jumping to conclusions about Rowan before, so I gather my thoughts and face Devlin with a bit more composure.
Her smug air grates on my nerves. It’s no secret that she’s into Rowan and is probably enjoying the hell out of this mess. I’m so humiliated... yet again. Still, I square my shoulders. I’m not the confrontational type, but I sure as hell am no pushover.
“Rowan sent you?” I ask. Maybe it’s a stupid question, but I want to hear her say it.
“Iamhis lawyer.” She shrugs.
Not a direct answer, but it says a lot. Besides, I really don’t need confirmation about what’s happening here. Rowan’s behavior says it all. He’s been standoffish from the beginning but extremely charitable. He probably wants me out of his life but has a good enough heart not to leave me destitute. He’d been on this unsolicitedsave Gracemission since he pulled me out of that fire.
My heart drops a little further. “So, he wants me to pack up and leave his apartment? All he had to do was call and tell me he wants the place back.”
“Grace, honey—”
My jaw tightens at the pseudo-endearment.
“—it’s not just about the apartment. Leave the man alone. He doesn’t need another charity case.” Her eyes practically spit fire. “But I’m just the messenger.”
I frown. She sure is taking her job as just the messenger personally. The ire in her tone catches my notice, and another wave of embarrassment hits me. This is what I’ve been afraid of since day one—Rowan, or anyone, thinking of me as a charity case.
Curiosity overrides my unease. “Anothercharity case?”
What’s that supposed to mean? Does Rowan run around at night in a cape rescuing people from dire financial straits? I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.
Devlin sighs and studies her manicured nails, radiating impatience. “I don’t have all day. Just take the money. What’s the problem?”
My eyes narrow to slits. I want to deck her in her pretty face. But why shoot the messenger? “The problem is, I don’t want Rowan’s money.” I hold the check out to her. “How about you take this back to him and tell him where to shove it? I don’t need to draw you a picture, do I?”
I’m practically snarling. I hate being driven to the point of behaving out of character, but this is too much. I’m on the verge of breaking down and I refuse to do so in front of Devlin.
She regards me with something akin to shock. Instead of taking back the check, she swipes me from head to toe with her cool green eyes. “Grace, you have claws. Who knew?”
I almost roll my eyes. “Take the check and leave, Devlin. You don’t have to tell me twice to take a hike. I’ll be out of Rowan’s hair in no time.”
Satisfaction gleams in her eyes, but I don’t care. I’m sure she wants to do backflips down the hallway now that she’ll have Rowan all to herself. She can have him.
My lower lip quivers, and I quickly pull it between my teeth. I can’t believe this is happening. In my entire dating life—short though it’s been—I’ve never been offered money to “disappear” from a man’s life.
“Keep the money, Grace. It’s Rowan’s way of helping you out, and it’s nothing much to him.”
Fifty grand is nothing much to him? Before I can respond, she smiles—the fakest one I’ve ever seen—turns, and sashays away. I glower at her back, wishing she’d at least wring an ankle in her ridiculously high heels. I’d be so satisfied with that. But no, she carries out her graceful exit.
“Bitch,” I hiss, slamming the door.
My chest heaves with the force of my rage. Devlin and Rowan deserve each other. I stare down at the check with disgust. You know what? I’m glad Devlin didn’t take the check back. Now I get to confront Rowan and throw it in his face.
As I stomp to the bedroom to get into something more comfortable for my upcoming battle, I remember that I have plans with Ashley. “Damn it.”
Making a U-turn, I head back to the living room for my cell. My foot taps out an agitated rhythm while I wait for Ashley to answer.
“Hey, Grace,” she greets. “I’m on my way to grab the ice cream. I’ll be at your place soon.”
Massaging the bridge of my nose, I groan. “Ash, about that.”
