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He took both of her hands in his and brought them to his lips. “You are so amazing.”
She shook her head. “I’m not all thatamazing.”
“But you are. Even after everything I did—everything I said—you still wanted to help me.”
“I guess that’s what people do when they’re in love.”
“I guess so.” He cocked his head to the side. “Does that mean you’re gonna give me a second chance?”
“I don’t know.” Her eyes danced with amusement. “I’ve been told it’s a huge red flag to date someone who broke up with you.”
He flinched. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
Eloise laughed. “Never.”
“Then I guess you’re just going to have to let me make it up to you for the rest of our lives.”
She grinned. “I think I can handle that.”
27
Shane
“Idon’t know where you’ve been for the last couple of days, but it’s time you start acting like the partner you are and get that contract in my hands.” Madeline was draped over the loveseat in Shane’s office.
He still hadn’t given her access to his house, a point she grumbled about constantly. He was surprised she hadn’t pushed the issue more, but he was grateful she was preoccupied enough to let it go for now.
Shane looked up from a report he had in his hand, finding Madeline staring at him. He put the folder down and crossed his arms. The wire beneath his shirt was giving him anxiety. At any moment Madeline could bound toward him like the vulture she was and discover it. Then all would be lost.
According to Janice, they had a good amount of evidence to put Madeline away, but it would also mean that Marc would get just as heavy of a sentence. Their little group had figured on Madeline rolling over on Marc the first second she got if she were to be arrested. They needed something irrefutable if they wanted to take her down and help Marc in the process.
The whole situation felt like they were diffusing a bomb. One wrong move and Madeline would figure out that they were up to something. It was a miracle she hadn’t done so already.
Madeline’s eyes narrowed. “What areyoulooking at?”
“You looked at me first.”
She rolled her eyes as she reached for one of the decorating magazines on the table nearby. The pages fluttered in the room, being flipped with clear contempt.
Shane released his pent-up breath and returned his eyes to the report, though not really seeing it. Get through today. That’s all he had to do. If he could get something on tape, then they could use it to their advantage.
“I think we need to remodel this office so it suits my tastes better.”
He glanced up, finding her staring at him.
“Are you even listening to me?”
Slowly, he rose. Placing his hands on the desk, he glowered at her. “This is your last chance to back out of this and walk away.”
Madeline’s eyes didn’t leave his face. For a moment he thought he’d finally gotten through to her. But then she threw her head back and let out a laugh. “Where isthiscoming from?” Madeline tossed her magazine to the table and got up from her seat. “Suddenly you’re all big and tough?” She stalked across the office like the predator she was and came right up beside him. Her voice lowered and she purred next to his ear. “You willneverbe free of me. I’m too close to getting what I want. There is no way I’d walk away from that. You think this blackmail is bad? I’ve done so much worse.”
“I know,” he muttered.
She pulled back, briefly stunned. “What?”
“Yeah. Marc told me everything.”
Madeline laughed again, her cackle echoing through the office. “Marc doesn’t know anything.”
