Page 80 of My Forbidden Boss

Her words are bricks that slam into my chest. I scramble, desperate to say something to make her change her mind. To make her see how I feel, but she knows how I feel. She’s as devastated as I am, and yet she won’t give in.

She stands tall and proud next to Lira, their hands clasped tightly. I catch a tremble working through their joined hands, but her shoulders remain rigid, her feet rooted in place.

She won’t give an inch. Desperation grows claws and tears out my insides. I’ll say anything to get through the hard shell she’s put around herself to protect her from a life that’s shown her nothing good. “I was wrong to send you away. I should have let you speak. Should have given you time when Andrea confronted you. You deserve better than I gave you.”

Too few words. Too little impact, but anything else I can say founders in my mouth, caught in a trap in the middle of my throat. I want to have her in my arms. To take away this pain. I move towards her, my subconscious taking over my body, but she flinches away from me.

“Adeline…love…” I say, fighting for the words that will bring her back to me. My chest heaves with the pressure building behind my sternum. “I won’t let this stand in our way. I want you, Adeline. I…I…love you.”

Her gasp is nearly inaudible. Her eyes widen and her lips part. Her free hand rises to cover her mouth and sleet fills my body as seconds tick by and she says nothing. Thick silence surrounds me, pressing me down on all sides.

“No.” Her voice is a whisper with the force of a gun shot. Her hands shake and her face pales but she stands there, chin high, regret in her eyes and firm in her decision.

I hang suspended in disbelief and ignore the sinking boulder in my stomach that crushes my organs. The irony of the situation doesn’t pass me; the first woman I’ve wanted with a desperation that borders on deep obsession doesn’t want me back. Not because of who I am, but because of my money. The very thing that women fling themselves at my feet to have.

If I could hand my possessions back, I would. Suddenly I wish I had nothing, because then there would be nothing to stand between us. Her walls are high and thick, and I helped add the last few bricks to them. They’re impenetrable, cemented with her determination, pride and sheer strength of character.

I won’t bring down her walls. I don’t want to change her. I’ll keep adding bricks, but they’ll be the right ones. They’ll build her up instead of protecting her.

My obsession led me to pursue her. I harness that obsession. I’ll need it. I’m not a man to back down when I want something, and I want Adeline with a desperation that seeps into my marrow.

She won’t have me like this. I gave her what she’s received all her life, telling her I’m like everyone else. I’ve broken our connection, and it’s up to me to bring her back. I’ll do that any way I can, but she’ll need to be with me so I can show her how much I love her. Words are not enough. If she stays here, time and distance will be irreparable. The only chance I have is to keep her with me.

And her mother, because Adeline will not leave her. It’s clear that everything she’s done, the pain she’s suffered, has been for Lira.

I’m not a charity case. I don’t want your pity.

For a woman like her, I’ll play dirty. I won’t give her charity or pity, but I’ll give her dirt. I’ll give her all the dirt in the world.

“I’ll help you take revenge against Bourke,” I say.

“I don’t want to have anything to do with Bourke ever again,” she says.

“Then don’t think of it as revenge. It’s back payment for the money I’m sure he didn’t pay. I’ll help you reclaim it,” I say. Adeline gives me nothing. Doesn’t bend in her decision. I need more dirt. “Think of your mother.”

I see the moment that hits her. Adeline flinches, glances at Lira, her face crumbling. She’ll do anything for her mother. She already has. When she lifts her head and knowing eyes gaze at me, I know I have her. “How?”

I want to howl in victory, but I hold tight. Press my case and make sure she can’t slip through.

“I want Blue Sky to buy out the Keystone Group. Bourke’s contractors are walking off site, but the developments are profitable for me if I can take them on and keep them going. The sites are good for Blue Sky’s portfolio. Bourke won’t willingly let them go, but if I can give him false information, I can manipulate it so he has no choice but to sell to me. From the proceeds, I’ll give Lira back-dated child support for the eighteen years he would have otherwise paid.”

Lira gasps, her hand clenching on her chest. Her fingers tighten on Adeline’s so hard her knuckles turn white and I know in an instant her mother has sealed my argument for me.

“You make it sound easy,” Lira says.

She doesn’t know how hard it will be, and she also doesn’t know the lengths I’ll go to for her daughter, or how hard I’ll work to make up for what I’ve done, starting now. “It won’t be easy. I need your help, but I can’t do that between Moss Creek and my office. Time is of the essence, and I only have a few days to put it together. For this to work, you have to come back with me to New York. Both of you. And we have to leave tonight.”

Chapter 29

Adeline

David played me and used Mom against me. He’s not stupid. He also knows I’ll do anything for Mom and that includes getting her the money she needs. What she’s owed. For that, I’ll go along. Willingly.

When this is over, we’ll find another town. A larger one where we can lose ourselves. Maybe find a little house free from the taint of our poverty. I’ll find a better job than Bob’s and make enough for the two of us. I’ll do what it takes.

For the next few days, I’ll watch myself from all sides and I won’t let David through my protection. He slipped through once, but I’ve stopped those gaps. I’ve built walls to withstand anyone and anything. He won’t get through even though he thinks he can.

I won’t let either of us suffer.