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Gradually Hannah’s sobs subsided. Eventually she turned to Zoe with a lopsided smile. “So, Dale arrived on his white horse when you were hurt.”
“Mmm, and so did Darryn,” Zoe teased.
That shut Hannah up for a couple of seconds. “It’s not the same, and anyway I don’t want to talk about Darryn.”
Zoe thought about Darryn’s extreme behavior of this afternoon. She sighed. What was it with the Cavallo men? She hadn’t heard from Dale since the morning she’d left her flat after their lovemaking and yet, when she was hurt, he flew in, acting caringly. Which meant what, exactly?
“You slept with Dale?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah, I did.”
“And?”
“And nothing. You know the kind of lives they lead. I’m just a diversion at the moment.”
“You sure about that?” Hannah asked.
“I’m going to finish this project. By that time, he’ll have someone else hanging on his arm, and I’ll probably only see him at family gatherings. The only reason he asked me to do this project was as a favor to Don. We all know that. I don’t like the idea that I got this assignment because of family ties, but I’m going to make sure I use the opportunity to my firm’s advantage. And anyway, we know happy-ever-afters don’t really exist, don’t we? Men don’t stick around when the going gets tough.”
Hannah snorted. “You’re worth being around, Zoe, I wish you knew that. Don’t sell yourself short. But you’re right about one thing. Men don’t stick around.”
“And you know that how? Darryn?”
Hannah shrugged. “It’s complicated. You feeling up to a stroll outside? We’ll stay on the hotel grounds,” she added with a grimace.
“Yes, please. If I stay here for another minute, I’ll go crazy.”
Zoe stole a glance at Hannah as they took the lift down. Her sister was obviously upset and worried about something. She just hoped Hannah would know when to ask for help.
*
Zoe looked aroundthe secretary’s office. It didn’t look as if anyone was there at the moment. Dale’s voice came from his office in the hotel. Well, then she would have to announce her arrival herself. Nervously she walked up to the door and knocked.
She wasn’t really sure why she was here, but she had to see him. The doctor had removed the bandages and she wanted to tell Dale.
Dale stopped talking and the next minute the door flew open. He had his phone in his hand.
“Zoe!” he exclaimed. “I’m just talking to Darryn, he’s at the hotel on Praslin. Are you feeling okay? Shouldn’t you still be in bed? What did the doctor say?”
“I’m good. The doctor said my hands are better, I’ve probably bruised a rib or two, but I’m fine.” She smiled and held up her hands.
Dale lifted his phone. “We’ll talk later,” he said into the phone. He listened for a few seconds and then handed the phone to Zoe. “Darryn wants to talk to you,” he said, pointing to a chair. “But do sit down, please.”
Zoe sat down and put the phone to her ear. “How is Hannah? Has she told you anything else?” Darryn asked brusquely.
“No, she hasn’t really. She… um… she’s on her way to Mauritius,” Zoe said. “The location for the shoot was moved suddenly this afternoon.”
Darryn swore. “Did she ask for it to be moved?”
“Not as far as I know but—”
Darryn cussed loudly on the other end and Zoe winced. That particular sentence structure she hadn’t heard before.
“How could Hannah leave the island when we’re still not sure what happened?” Darryn asked.
But apparently Dale had had enough of his brother. Darryn was talking so loudly Dale could probably hear every word. He took the phone from her hand.
“You can grill Zoe later, she’s still not well,” he said and ended the call.
