Page 4 of Marcel

“You aremad.”

He looked up at hisbrother framed inside the doorway, his handsome face displaying anincredible look. “What gave it away? How long have you knownabout this—this completely distasteful plan?”

“A week,”Matthew told him quietly.

Marcel stoppedclearing his desk to look up at his brother, the hurt and pain of hisbetrayal evident on his face. “We played tennis on Wednesday.We were together in court on Thursday. We were in meetings thismorning, and you never said a word of it.”

“I did not wantyou to do anything impulsive.”

“Like what?Knock your teeth down your throat? You are my brother, and I thoughtwe were close.”

“We are, andDad is just looking out for you.”

“The way helooked out for you?” Marcel’s eyes glittered with rage.“He picked out your wife-”

“I happen tolove Grace.”

“Fortunately,that worked out. He is a tyrant who is determined to have his way. Hechose our sister’s fiancé, and she had no say in thematter. I am not going through with this.”

“That womanmeans so much to you?” Matthew demanded as he walked into theoffice. “Dad is right; the rumor is flying around. She was seenentering your office and staying there for half an hour with closeddoors. Speculations are rife as to what happened here.”

“People need tomind their own damn business.”

“She is amarried woman, Marcel, and, even worse, she is the wife of a seniorpartner.”

“She is nothappy,” Marcel muttered, sitting on the chair wearily.

“And she camein here to cry on your shoulder.”

“So the hellwhat?” He snapped.

“She has ahusband who is embarrassed and heartsick about his wife’sfascination with someone younger, a hell of a lot more good-looking,and with more money than he has.”

He propped his elbowson the beautiful glass desk and dragged his fingers through his thickhair.

“I am supposedto choose my bride.”

“That ship hassailed,” Matthew told him grimly. “Don’t overthinkit.”

Marcel did notrespond and watched as his brother left and closed the doors behindhim. Leaning back against the chair, he felt the headache pounding inhis temple. Simone had been threatening to end the marriage and hadwalked into his office to tell him that she was sick and tired ofbeing with Peter.

“I want to bewith you, Marcel,” she told him pleadingly, her blue eyesswelling with tears. “I cannot bear the thought of being withhim.”

“He is yourhusband.”

“We shareseparate bedrooms. It’s not even a marriage.”

“Simone-”

“You loveme!” She cried. “I know you do.”

He had not agreed ordenied it because he was conflicted. Yes, he had strong feelings forher, but she was married, and he could not ignore that. She wasanother man’s wife, and he would be breaking up a marriage. Hehad nothing against Peter.

The man was anexcellent lawyer, had been with the firm for many years, and wasloyal.

But getting married to stop the rumors was something hecould not agree to. His thoughts turned to Nikki Johnston, and hismouth tightened.

She was a juniorpartner, and her contempt for him was well-known. She thought of himas a pampered, entitled jerk; those were not his words but hers, andafter hearing them, he had resented her ever since.

---