The scornful taunt was so close to what Sam already knew was going to happen between herself and Xander, and sooner rather than later, that she couldn’t help but feel the pain of it twisting deep inside her.
Which was exactly the reaction Malcolm had hoped for.
She was made of stronger stuff than that. Was bigger than Malcolm. Was certainly a far better person than he could ever be.
And so was Xander.
‘Xander,’ Sam cut in determinedly, ‘you do realise that if you give in to the impulse you feel to hit him, that you’ll have to disinfect your hand afterwards?’ Somehow Sam managed to keep her voice light and mocking as she remained seated behind the desk—the latter because she doubted her legs would support her if she attempted to stand!
It was possible to visibly see the tension leave Xander’s shoulders as she taunted Malcolm, those dark brown eyes glowing with admiration, an approving smile slowly curving those sculpted lips.
Sam shakily returned that smile, dearly hoping she looked more confident than she felt.
Xander’s warmth faded as he turned back to face the other man. ‘Which of us is the more powerful, do you think, Howard?’ he mused dryly. ‘How long do you think you’ll be able to continue to be in business if I don’t come through with that loan? And how long would you continue to be invited to the fashionable parties you so enjoy, if I should decide to make my aversion to you public? How many restaurants would suddenly find they have no tables available? How many of London’s elite would begin to question why it is I find you so obnoxious?’
‘Because you’re obviously having an affair with my ex-wife!’ the other man blustered.
‘I work for him,’ Sam corrected firmly, decisively, her gaze hardening as she realised from Malcolm’s bluster just how weak he really was. ‘You will go to Xander’s lawyer, Malcolm. You will sign the contract. And then you will never show your face anywhere that I might ever see it again. Because if you don’t,’ she continued coldly as Malcolm would have spoken, ‘I will let Xander ruin you.’
Xander had never admired Samantha more than he did at that moment. She looked magnificent. All fiery eyed, and with her hair like a living flame about her shoulders.
Howard breathed hard. ‘And if I do sign this contract what guarantee do I have that you’ll keep your side of the bargain?’
‘You have my own and Samantha’s word on it,’ Xander answered the other man harshly. ‘And, unlike you, Samantha’s integrity is unimpeachable. My own word, again unlike your own, is completely dependable as well as deeply respected.’
The older man’s face twisted into an ugly mask. ‘Why the hell should I give you that power?’
‘Because I will take delight in ruining you if you don’t sign the contract?’ Xander retorted mildly.
Howard snorted. ‘I would be living with the sword of Damocles hanging over my head for the rest of my life!’
‘Better than having it thrust into your cold dead heart,’ Xander countered unsympathetically.
Howard eyed him for several long moments, obviously fighting an inner battle with himself; arrogance as opposed to good sense. ‘Okay, I’ll sign your blasted contract!’ he finally burst out fiercely as the latter obviously won. ‘But you had better make sure you keep to your side of the bargain.’