THE TYCOON'S REBEL BRIDE(41)

to her room and drag Marcus out. Then he’d beat the hell out of him.

With a muttered curse, he spun around and headed for the elevator. Anger rushed

like lava through his veins. What the hell was Marcus thinking? Theron knew damn well

what he was thinking, and what he was thinking with.

When he finally reached Isabella’s door, he rapped sharply. A few seconds later,

the door opened to a smiling Marcus who wore just a bathrobe.

He looked startled to see Theron standing there, and then his eyes narrowed to

slits. “Sorry, I thought you were room service,” Marcus said. Then he turned his head

toward the bathroom. “Stay in the tub a little longer, sweetheart. Food’s not here yet.”

Turning back to Theron, Marcus did a slow up and down perusal, and then he

asked in a bored voice, “Now, what can I do for you?”

“You arrogant…” Theron said in a menacing voice.

“You broke away from your engagement party to come up here and call me

names?” Marcus asked in amusement.

A sound down the hallway had Theron looking to see the room service cart being

wheeled toward Isabella’s door. Marcus pressed forward and stared as well.

“Ah, there’s the food now. If you’ll excuse me. Or was there something you

wanted?” Marcus asked pointedly.

Theron backed away, unsettled and feeling like he’d just gone a round in the

boxing ring. Without a word, he turned and stalked away, his fists clenched into balls at

his sides.

His gut churned as he got back onto the elevator. Why did it matter? He’d set

Marcus up to be a choice in Isabella’s hunt for a husband. Why then did he feel

absolutely sickened by the prospect that Isabella had made her choice?

Twelve

I sabella was wakened by a loud knock at her door. She opened her eyes, wincing

at how scratchy and dry they felt. Her hands went to wipe the swollen lids, and she

remembered that she’d cried herself to sleep the night before.

Theron had proposed to Alannis. She’d been too late. And they’d looked so

happy.

Fitting that she was completely miserable.

A knock sounded again, prompting her to slide her legs from the covers and push

herself from the bed. Gathering her robe that lay over the chair a few feet away, she

pulled it on and tied it as she walked to the door.

When she stared through the peephole, she saw Sadie standing outside, or at least

someone who resembled Sadie. It was hard to tell with the platinum blond wig adorning

her head. She opened the door, and Sadie brushed by talking a mile a minute.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” Sadie said. “For a minute I thought you’d

forgotten about tonight.”

Isabella closed the door and turned to look at Sadie.

“I’ve got everything in my bag, and we have plenty of time to prepare,” Sadie

chattered on. “It’ll be a snap.”

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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE

58

MAYA BANKS

SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944

THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS

Then Sadie stopped as she got a good look at Isabella. Her brow creased in

confusion, and her lips parted.

“Bella, what’s wrong? Have you been crying?”

To Isabella’s dismay, she felt the sting of more tears. Irritated, she blinked them

away, determined not to shed a single one.

Sadie closed the distance between them and slung an arm around her friend,

guiding her toward the couch. Isabella found herself seated, and then Sadie plopped down

beside her.

“What happened?” she asked. “Is it Theron?”

Isabella closed her eyes and nodded.

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” Sadie enfolded her in her arms. “Did he propose to

Alannis? Is that it?”

Isabella nodded against Sadie’s shoulder. Sadie pulled away and brushed the hair

from Isabella’s face.

“Let’s forget all about tonight. We’ll order in some really good takeout and binge

on desserts that have a gazillion calories.”

Isabella smiled. “You can’t miss your party, Sadie. It’s too important. Just

because my life is in shambles isn’t a reason for you to lose your job and your chance at

Broadway.”

Sadie looked doubtfully at her. “I’m not sure you’re up for this, Bella.”

Bella forced a broader smile to her lips. “How bad can it be? I’ll dress like you,

dance some and attract male attention. It won’t last long, and you’ll keep your job.”

“Are you sure?”

Isabella nodded. “Let’s order something to eat. I’m starved. Then you can teach

me the moves I need to know.” She glanced at the bright wig Sadie was wearing. “Is that