Page 72 of Rosabel and the Billionaire Beast

“What? Why not?”

Her shoulders sagged with her next breath. “You signed that pledge, Duncan.”

“I did,” I said, hating the reminder.

Her gaze trailed to the large window behind me. To where Rosabel was visible staring back at the step and probably wondering what I was still doing in here.

A rock slid into my gut.

“She’s lovely. I get the feeling there’s something more between you two than a casual acquaintance. If I’m wrong, then ignore my warning. If I’m right?—”

My feelings for Rosabel were none of her business.

“Iamleaving her out of it. I’m telling you to do the same.”

“Because you love her. You love her, don’t you? Why else would you warn me or anyone else to stay away from her?”

She smirked as though she had me there.

And the worst part was, she did. She so did.

“If you want to keep her safe, bury those feelings deep, Duncan. Do a better job of hiding them. Lock up your heart, Mr. Hawthorne, and throw away the key.”

While that had already long been the plan, hearing Eudora say it made me want to disagree with her. Saying it this way felt like giving in to bullies—something I refused to do.

How could Eudora say this? What did she care? What did she know?

“How much do you know of what’s happened?” I demanded. “To Adrian, Hawk, Maddox?”

Each time, the woman they’d loved had gotten hurt.

“I’ve heard rumors,” she said, unperturbed by my insistence.

My frustration grew. “Then why haven’t you done anything about it? You said you left Chicago and turned your back on the frat. On us.”

Eudora planted her hands on her hips. With her head hunched so far forward, she looked like a pigeon. “What am I supposed to have done? I want nothing more to do with the pact my idiot son concocted.”

“People are getting hurt!”

Rosabel knocked on the door and fiddled with the knob. I lunged for the door, holding it. I didn’t want her hearing any more than she already had.

“Which is why I suggested you not tell thatassistantof yours that you love her.”

That statement sank hard into my stomach as if I’d been punched.

“Do you know who’s threatening her?” I said through gritted teeth.

Eudora lifted her chin. She pinned her eyes to mine but said nothing.

The worst part was that she had a point. It was too late; I was already in too deep, and I couldn’t involve Rosabel any more seriously than I already had.

“I don’t love her,” I added.

Eudora laughed, tearing her gaze away and peering toward where Rosabel stood at the door and knocked again. I heard my name through the door.

“That’s not what it looks like to me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she loves you, too.”

I swore. If Eudora could tell as much from less than ten minutes with us, then I wasn’t sure I could hide my feelings from anyone else.

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