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She turned her back on him. But just as suddenly her energy slumped. Her legs felt empty. So did her soul. Depleted, she was left bereft of everything.
Elias stared as Darcie literally sank into the nearest chair. This wasn’t the flounce of a pouting creature denied her own way, it was the collapse of someone whose whole world had just shattered. Paler than he’d ever seen her, she gazed unseeingly at the floor and the trembling of her limbs was visible even from five feet away. His formerly impeccably calm assistant was in pieces and apparently it was all his fault. She’d never spoken to him the way she had. No one had spoken to him that way inyears.
He winced. His limbs didn’t feel all that steady either as he struggled to recover from her elated expression the split second after he’d said he’d marry her. But a breath later she’d broken and laughed in his face. That bitter, blameful laugh had then excoriated him, decimating his own surge of excitement. Now shame slithered through his cells, sweating out through his skin. He’d never screwed up like this. He’d vowed never to interfere with another person’s personal life—never to be so arrogant, so controlling, the way his father was. The realisation that he’d just done exactly that was unbearable.
But honesty mattered, too. Intentions mattered. And Darcie intending to marry someone else... He’d thought she was a liar and that had infuriated him because betrayal did. He’d not been able to stop himself from chasing her here to find out what and who and nowwhywas it so imperative she get married at all. Why so quickly? Was this some kind of residency issue? A work visa? But Darcie was English so that didn’t make sense.Noneof this made sense. The only thing that was completely obvious was her distress and inwardly he still rebelled at the accusation that it washisfault.
I’m not in love with her.
That slimy coward had walked out on her the second he’d had the slimmest of opportunities.
Sometimes marriage is a practical solution to a real problem.
Elias glanced about and saw another couple glaring at him disapprovingly. Yeah, apparently hewasthe villain here, which was outrageous. Hadn’t he just saved her from marrying a fool who clearly didn’t want to be there? He looked back at Darcie. The despair in her posture made his discomfort snowball. He didn’t have the desire nor the ability to deal with emotional problems. Ever. His parents hadn’t exactly given him the skills with their toxic, unbalanced mess of a marriage. It was why he kept so firmly, so calmly, to business. But this was Darcie and she was alone and it was unbearable to watch.
He moved to hunch beside her chair. ‘Where are your witnesses?’
She kept staring at the floor. ‘We were just going to use the city administrators.’
‘You don’t have any family here?’ he pressed. Why was that? Why hide this from those closest to her? Shouldn’t a wedding be a big celebration? It made him more suspicious. ‘Not even any friends?’
She didn’t answer. He’d worked alongside Darcie for a long time and he’d never seen her like this. Was she really in love with that jerk even though she’d denied it?
No.
Every instinct rejected the idea and for more than one reason. She’d been more focused on venting her anger at him rather than running after the guy who’d just jilted her. Her devastation wasn’t the guy, but the wedding itself. Whatever the reason was, he knew her marrying was imperative. He recalled again that momentary leap in her blue eyes, that unguarded response when he’d said he’d do it...and something hot churned in his gut. But then she’d not believed him. Her dismissal stung.No onedismissed him.
His steely resolve returned. Elias Greyson did not fail. He did not allow it. And he hadn’t built his business from the ground up without accumulating some organisational skills. Furthermore he could delegate. Just not to Darcie. Not this time.
‘Come on,’ he ordered briskly. ‘We need to leave.’
Darcie didn’t move. She couldn’t.
‘You need to get married, right?’ Elias pressed.
She was too heartbroken to bother trying to explain to him about Lily. Elias Greyson was a playboy with zero intention of settling down and having a family. He would never understand.
‘You have your go bag with you?’
At that she looked up into his eyes. ‘No,’ she said scornfully. ‘I resigned, remember?
‘We’ll swing by and pick it up from your place on the way to the airport.’ He ignored her sarcasm and went straight for solution.
Her place? The airport? What?
‘You’re wasting time. Let’s go.’ He literally hauled her out of the chair and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Being pressed this close to Elias was overpowering. She was tall but he was taller and so much stronger, and frankly she wasn’t sure if she was walking or if he were half carrying her. Feeling the lean strength of him made her all the more weak and just as she realised how mortifying that was they got outside and his car was right there and Olly his driver was studiously not staring at her.
‘You know Darcie’s home address, right?’ Elias checked.
‘Of course.’
Darcie folded herself into the farthest corner of the back seat and stared at her phone. Shaun hadn’t messaged her. She sent him a quick text asking if he was okay. She didn’t dwell on the money she’d transferred only ten minutes ago. There was no point. Her plans were ruined. Elias said nothing; he was busy tapping some thesis on his phone. Back to the deal, no doubt.
When Olly pulled over she immediately opened the door.
‘Thanks for dropping me home,’ she muttered stiffly. ‘You don’t need to come in.’
