Leverage (Part Three)(4)

“Doesn’t look that way to me.”

“Maybe you need your eyes checked.”

“Want to know what I see?” Miles didn’t wait for Boston, continuing with total confidence, “I see a man stalking a woman who doesn’t want him anymore. You lost your chance. Now you need to step aside for a real man who knows how to treat a woman right.”

“Oh, and you’re that man?” Boston dearly wanted to bury his fist in the fucker’s face but there was a frisson of fear squeezing his heart that Miles was right. Julianna didn’t want him. She’d never wanted him. All she’d wanted was his money. And now? She had even better leverage against him in the form of his child. The sense of loss and inadequacy threatened to strangle him where he stood and leave him in the sand like forgotten trash but he never showed weakness to the enemy. Not even when he was losing. He stepped forward, making his meaning crystal. “Let me get something very clear: she’s not available. Just ask her. Ask her why,” he dared Miles, a taunting smile on his mouth. He’d love to see Surfer Boy’s expression when Julianna admitted that she’d sold herself to him. Hard to pretty up that truth.

“Are you threatening her?”

“Not threatening. Just stating facts. You’d do well to steer clear.”

“Oh, now you’re offering advice? Looking out for my welfare? That’s kind of you,” Miles said with open sarcasm. His gaze went to the patio, clearly done with Boston and his advice. “Look, the lady doesn’t want you any more. Why don’t you handle this with a little class?”

“Says the man moving in on another’s man’s pregnant woman?” Boston mocked. The man had balls. “But then I guess sloppy seconds are your thing?”

“Try to show some respect,” Miles said. “Julianna is a woman, not your plaything.”

Richard’s advice rang in his ears and he faltered. There was the tiniest voice beneath the roar of his outrage that begged him to stop chasing Julianna down, to tell her exactly how being without her was driving him mad but how could he do that without seeming weak or pathetic? The answer skittered out of his reach and he was left with absolute nothing but his current course of action. He couldn’t back down, couldn’t retreat. He forced a laugh but it rang with the ugliness curdling his heart. “What’s your game, pretty boy?” he asked. “Is it simply about the chase? Are you only interested in fucking her? Is that your fetish? Fucking pregnant women? I know that’s a thing but I suggest you find a different woman to get your rocks off. Like I said, Julianna is taken.”

Through with the conversation, Miles moved away. “You’re a pig,” he said. “No wonder Julianna wants to be free from you. Maybe if you’d treated her with an ounce of kindness and respect she might’ve put up with your insufferable attitude but you can’t help yourself from being a total douche.”

Boston stilled the sudden leap of fear. She would return to him. She had to. He couldn’t — no, he wouldn’t — lose her.

“Here’s what you don’t know about Julianna….” He let the words hang in the air and Miles stopped but didn’t turn around. A cold, knowing smile followed as understanding followed. Miles couldn’t help himself. Julianna was a mystery that he couldn’t quit. Boston understood that drive, that longing. Too bad Miles was destined to lose. “She will come back to me. That’s a promise. So don’t get attached. And here’s another word of advice…if you fucking touch her…I will destroy you.”

Miles shook his head and tossed a dismissive wave Boston’s direction before disappearing into the resort.

Boston chuckled. Yeah, keep walking pretty boy. We’ll see who’s right. And who’s left behind.

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Miles had never wanted to punch someone more badly than he wanted to bury his fist in Boston’s smug face right this moment. He wanted to understand why someone like Julianna would get involved with a man as crude and ruthless as Boston but he didn’t want to pepper her with questions right after an altercation like that. He found her sitting apart, clearly still agitated by the situation. Her brows pulled into a subtle frown and her gaze shone a little too brightly as she held back tears. Miles took the seat opposite her and reached for her hand. “Are you okay?” he asked, noting the wildly jittering pulse in her neck and the sad downturn of her beautiful, soft mouth.#p#分页标题#e#

“He’s such a jerk,” she said, staring unseeing at her plate. “He’s the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.”