Page 52 of Rekindling Desire

“I need time to think.”

Inhaling, I called on all my self-control. “I’ll give you time.” I handed the engagement ring her way. “Please take this. Even if we’re not married, we can be engaged.”

Ella reached for the ring. “Tomorrow, I’ll tell Millie that I’m stepping down from the campaign.”

My fucking heart was being ripped from my chest. “Please don’t.”

She stood taller. “Please keep me informed about Derek.”

“I will. What about my things upstairs?”

Before Ella could answer, her doorbell rang. Duchess came running from the front of the house. When I turned toward Ella, her forehead was furrowed. “Did you call for food?” she asked.

“No. Are you expecting anyone?”

The doorbell rang repeatedly.

“What the fuck?”

We both walked down the hallway toward the foyer. Through the lead-glass sidelight was the distorted image of a person. A man. A tall man.

The small hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention.

I shot out my arm. “Ella, stay back.”

The man was now pounding on the door. “I know you’re in there. Open the damn door. Your car is right here. I’m not leaving.”

Ella’s eyes opened wide. “Darius?”

“Fucker.”

Ella reached for my arm. “Damien, don’t open the door. He sounds nuts. We can call the police.”

I wasn’t going to hide from my brother behind a door.

The pounding continued.

“I’m going to handle this,” I said, going to the front door, turning the bolt, and opening the door. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Let me in.”

“Leave,” I said, “you’re making a fool out of yourself.”

“You think you can win. You always have. You’re nothing but a spoiled asshole who wants everything I’ve ever had.” His volume was getting louder with each phrase.

Opening the door wider, I said, “Fucking get in here and quit making a scene.”

“A scene. You think this is a scene?” As Darius’s gaze fell on Ella, his volume lowered. “Oh, Gabriella. Has my brother told you that he’s a cheating piece of shit? Has he told you about your marriage?”

“Ella knows everything,” I answered.

Darius took a step toward her. “Maybe you and I should find comfort in one another.”

Ella’s arms were crossed over her breasts. “Darius, I think you should go home.”

“Home?” he questioned as he looked around Ella’s front rooms. “I don’t have a home. My wife is married. I’ve been cut off from my father. And my plan to secure my rightful place in” —his volume tripled— “my father’s company is going up in fucking smoke.” He took another step toward Ella. “But I bet you could make me forget my problems. I’d make you forget yours too.”

The actual fuck.

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