Rush(93)

“What do I have to do, Gabe? How much do you want me to grovel? Tell me so I can do it and we can move on.”

He tempered his impatience and sat a moment so he didn’t react too harshly. And then he wanted to laugh at the idea that he could act too harshly. She’d skewered him. She’d betrayed him. And he still didn’t know what had made her snap.

“There is nothing you can do or say that will ever change my mind,” he said in clear, concise words. “We are over, Lisa. That was your choice. You divorced me. Not the other way around.”

Her face fell and she dramatically wiped at a nonexistent tear.

“I know I hurt you terribly. I’m so sorry, Gabe. I was such a fool. But we still love each other. It would be a terrible waste for us not to at least try. I can make you happy. I made you happy once. I can do it again.”

He was close to losing his temper, and he chose his words carefully.

“I don’t love you,” he said bluntly.

She flinched, and this time she didn’t have to fake the tears welling in her eyes.

“I don’t believe you,” she said huskily.

He sighed. “I don’t really care what you believe. That’s not my problem. You and I are in the past and that’s where we are staying. Stop doing this to yourself—to me—Lisa. I have work to do and I can’t get it done with constant interruptions.”

“So how does a club on sourdough sound?” Mia said as she entered his office, arms full of the takeout bags.

She came to a screeching halt when she saw Lisa, and her eyes widened.

“Oops. Sorry,” she said awkwardly.

She hastily backed from his office and disappeared, bags in hand. He had to bite his lip to keep himself from commanding her back. Damn it, he wanted Lisa gone, not Mia.

When his gaze returned to Lisa’s, her eyes were narrowed and recognition flashed.

“It’s her isn’t it?” Lisa said softly.

There was accusation in her stare. She rose to her feet, fists clenched at her sides.

“It’s always been her. I saw the way you looked at her even when we were married. I played it off. She’s Jace’s little sister and so I thought you viewed her with a measure of affection afforded someone her age. But God, you wanted her even then, didn’t you, you bastard? Are you in love with her?”

Gabe stood, his anger sharp and explosive. “That’s enough, Lisa. You will not say another word. Mia works for me. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

Lisa made a sound of derision. “I never had a chance, did I, Gabe? Even if I hadn’t been the one to walk out.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he said in a clipped tone. “I was faithful to you, Lisa. I would have always been faithful. I was committed to our marriage. It’s too bad you weren’t.”

“Don’t keep fooling yourself, Gabe. I saw the way you looked at her then and how you looked at her just now. I wonder if she has any idea what she’s getting into. Perhaps I should warn her.”

Gabe came around the desk, no longer able to control the anger biting at him.

“If you ever so much as breathe in Mia’s direction, I’ll ruin you, Lisa. All the money you still receive from me? Gone. And I won’t hesitate or feel one moment’s remorse over it. You’re a cold, calculating bitch. Mia’s worth ten of you. And if you don’t think I’m enough of a threat, let Jace find out your intentions toward Mia. I guarantee he won’t be as nice or as patient as I’ve been.”

Lisa’s eyes became calculating. “How much is it worth, me not going to your little assistant?”

And now she got to the real point of this bullshit reconciliation attempt. He was livid, but he managed to hold on to his temper. Barely.

“Blackmail won’t work with me, Lisa. You of all people should know that. I know why you’ve come sniffing back around. You’re broke and barely making ends meet on your alimony payments, which by the way, you should know I’ve contacted my lawyer. I’m going to court to have them reduced. I was more than generous in our divorce. Maybe it’s time you got off your ass and worked, or find some other sucker to support you because I’m done.”

She turned away, clutching her handbag like a lifeline. “You’ll regret this, Gabe.”

He remained silent, refusing to rise to her bait. It was done as far as he was concerned.

When she paused at the door, he said, “You won’t be allowed in here again, Lisa. So don’t try it. You’ll only cause a scene and humiliate yourself. I’m going to alert security that you are never to be allowed back, and I’ll tell Eleanor to alert them if she sees you anywhere near my offices.” His voice dropped to a dangerous level. “And so help me God, if you go anywhere near Mia, I’ll make you very sorry. Understand me?”