“Before what? Your new boyfriend throws me out? He’s not here, or do you really think I’m stupid enough to show up when he’s home?”
“How would you know?”
“Money buys information. But you wouldn’t know because you don’t have any.” He shook his head, making a tsking noise as he did so. “You’re too naïve for your own good. A man like Gabe will grow bored of you soon enough. God knows I did.”
I didn’t care how many nerves he pricked, I refused to let him see how badly his words hurt me. I deliberately yawned, wanting to look bored.
Unfortunately, Lance appeared to be enjoying himself. He leaned in closer. “I only kept you around out of pity, you know. That and you kept a nice, clean house and did what I asked with little fuss. Not to mention, you were frigid enough that you didn’t even know how often I took my pleasure elsewhere.”
A red haze of fury erupted inside me, anger not just at how callously he treated me but how stupid I’d been for falling for him at all, believing his lies, and sticking around even once I knew better.
“If I was frigid, it was only because you didn’t know what the hell you were doing, you lying, cheating son of a bitch.” I gripped the frame so hard I was surprised I didn’t break one of my fingers.
“Don’t pull the righteous routine on me. How long was this going on behind my back?”
I didn’t answer. He wouldn’t believe me anyway.
“Gabriel Dare might be attracted to you. I was too, for a time. He’ll grow bored just like I did. I only came here to let you know you won’t be seeing one cent from me. You’ve taken enough.”
Once again, he’d managed to find the best way to hurt me. My ears rang with all the insults he’d hurled, but I wouldn’t let him break me. “You stupid, arrogant ass. I’d rather live on the streets than take anything from you.”
“That can be arranged.” A mean smile took hold, making me wonder how he’d kept this nasty part of himself hidden from me for so long.
I turned my back on him, and he grabbed my shoulder.
Touching me was the last straw. I spun around and kicked out, my bare foot landing in his groin.
“You bitch.” He slapped me hard at the exact moment the elevator doors opened and Gabe stormed through in time to see Lance’s hand make contact with my cheek.
Gabe’s gaze swung from Lance to me before he hauled Lance up by his shirt, shoving his back against the wall, his fist connecting with the other man’s jaw. “You don’t hit women. But you especially don’t hit this one,” Gabe bit out, still holding Lance against the wall.
Lance glared but held his ground, not blinking.
“I specifically told you to bring her things to my office. Show up here again and you won’t be able to walk out of here on your own.”
“He almost didn’t,” I muttered. Between my kick and Gabe’s punch, Lance appeared dazed and stunned.
And if I’d had on real shoes, that kick might have done some damage. As it was, I worked my aching jaw back and forth.
Gabe released his hold, and Lance scrambled not to fall. He righted himself, straightening his shirt, throwing a glare Gabe’s way. “This isn’t over.”
“If you mean you still owe her, you’re right.” Gabe stepped beside me, pulling me into him. I allowed the show of possession, knowing it would infuriate my ex.
Lance’s scowl told me I was right. “She’s not worth the trouble I promise you I can—and will—rain down on you,” he said to Gabe, his words a clear threat.
Gabe’s low snarl frightened even me. “That just shows how incredibly stupid, not to mention ignorant, you are.”
I trembled and wrapped my arms around myself, silently admitting Lance was probably right. I wasn’t worth the hassle, something Gabe might have just figured out—but at least he presented a united front to my ex.
Giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze, Gabe strode into the darkened hallway and hit the down button for the elevator before turning to Lance. “I suggest you leave before I call the police. You’re trespassing.”
Lance wisely remained silent until he stepped into the open elevator. “Don’t be a fool over a piece of ass,” he called out to Gabe, timing his shout to coincide with the closing door.
* * *
Isabelle: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Gabe watched the doors shut completely before turning his focus to me. Gaze narrowed, his stare came to rest on my cheek.
“I should have killed him when I had the chance.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the apartment, slamming the door shut behind me. Once in the kitchen, he stopped at the freezer and filled a Ziploc bag with ice.
“Wait here.” He stormed off, returning with a white tee shirt. He wrapped the ice inside it and held the soft cotton against my face.
I winced.
“Sorry, but keep it there.” He led me to the sofa in the living room and settled in beside me. “Are you okay?” He brushed my wayward curls off my shoulder.
I didn’t want to enjoy his gentle ministrations as much as I did, and the words I had to say lodged in my throat before I managed to force them out.
“I’m leaving. You did a nice thing by letting me stay, and we got carried away… Let me just say thank you and leave it at that.” I placed the ice on the table.
He frowned and immediately held it back to my face. “Why did you let that bastard upstairs?” he asked, ignoring my statement.
Not that I was surprised. I decided to answer his questions first. “The doorman called. He said a man was downstairs with suitcases for me. I figured Lance would bring up my things, have his say, and go.”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed, raw anger lacing his features. “The doorman said he had luggage for you?”
I nodded.
“And he lied,” Gabe said, his expression dark.
I nodded again. “When I asked how Lance knew you wouldn’t be home, he mentioned something about money buying information.”
Gabe shook his head in frustration. “I should have been one step ahead of him. It won’t happen again,” he promised.
I knew that, because I wouldn’t be here. If Lance promised trouble, he meant it. Gabe didn’t need aggravation in his life brought on solely because of me. That was just another reason for me to leave. My self-respect and need for independence were two more. Seeing Lance again only reinforced why I’d left him in the first place. I’d let Gabe’s persuasive powers lure me into a sense of security that could only be another trap.