Enticed by His Forgotten Lover(56)

Cam grinned. “Well, okay then. Don’t get pissy about it.”

“Have either of you heard from Ryan? I sent him after her, but the son of a bitch won’t answer his phone.”

Devon shook his head. “I’ll try him. Maybe he’s just not answering your calls.”

Like that was supposed to make Rafael feel any better. But at this point, he didn’t care how he had to get to Bryony. Just as long as he did.

Just as Devon put the phone to his ear, the elevator doors chimed and Rafael jerked around, holding his breath that by some miracle Bryony had come back. He let it all out when he saw Ryan stride in.

Rafael strode forward to meet him. “Where the hell is Bryony? I’ve been calling you for the last couple of hours. Where have you been?”

Ryan glared back. There was condemnation in his eyes. And anger. “I just spent the past couple of hours listening to Bryony cry because you broke her heart. I hope to hell you’re happy now that you’ve destroyed the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“Whoa, back off,” Devon said as he stood. “This isn’t any of our business, Ryan. He’s already beaten himself up enough without you piling on.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t have to listen to her cry.”

“Where is she?” Rafael demanded when he found his voice. The image of Bryony crying sent staggering pain through his chest. “I need to see her, Ryan. Where did you take her?”

“To the airport.”

Rafael’s heart dropped. “The airport? Has she already left? Do I have time to catch her?”

Ryan shook his head. “She’s probably already in the air.”

Rafael cursed. Then he turned and slammed his fist into the wall. He leaned his forehead against the cabinet and fought the rage that billowed inside him.

When he looked up, an odd sort of peace settled over him. He looked at his friends—his business partners—and knew that this could very well be the end of their relationship.

“I have to go after her,” he said.

Devon nodded. “Yeah, you do.”

“I’m canceling the deal. I’m pulling the plug. I don’t give a damn how much it costs me or if it costs me everything. It already has. I’m going to give back that damn land. Bryony will never believe that I love her as long as it stands between us. I have to get rid of it and make it a nonissue.”

Slowly Cam nodded. “I agree. It’s the only way you’re going to get her to believe that you love her now.”

To his surprise, all three of his friends nodded their agreement.

“You’re not pissed? We had a lot riding on this.”

“How about you let us deal with the resort plans,” Devon said. “You go after your woman. Settle down. Have babies. Be nauseatingly happy. I’m going to see what I can do to salvage the resort proposal. Maybe we can find another location.”

“I’m not even going to ask,” Rafael said. “Tell me about it later. I owe you. I owe you big.”

“Yeah, well, don’t think I won’t collect. Later. After you’ve kissed and made up with Bryony,” Devon said with a grin.

“Need a ride to the airport?” Ryan asked. “My driver’s still outside. I told him I wouldn’t be long.”

“Yeah. Just let me get my wallet.”

“Not going to pack a bag?” Cam asked.

“Hell, no. Bryony can buy me more jeans and flip-flops when I get down there.”

“After she kicks your ass you mean?” Devon asked.

“I’ll let her do whatever she wants just as long as she takes me back,” Rafael said.

“Good God,” Cam said in disgust. “Could you sound any more pathetic?”

Devon laughed and slapped Cam on the back. “Apparently that’s what falling in love does to a guy. Take my advice. Marry for money and connections, like I am.”

“I think the best idea is to never marry,” Cam pointed out. “Less expensive that way. No costly divorces.”

Rafael shook his head. “And you all called me the bastard. Come on, Ryan. I’ve got a plane to catch.”



“Bryony!”

Bryony turned to see her grandmother waving to her from her deck. Silas stood beside her, watching as Bryony stood close to the water’s edge.

She’d been there for a couple of hours, just watching the water, alone with her thoughts. She knew her grandmother and Silas were both worried. She’d given them an abbreviated version of everything that had happened. No sense in them knowing the extent of Bryony’s stupidity.

They knew enough that Rafael had made a fool of her and would develop the land, but then Bryony had been prepared to give up that fight. So the outcome would be the same, only Bryony wouldn’t have the man she loved.