Page 110 of The Eagle's Vault

Goose bumps crawled up my arms, but I held my ground. I wouldn’t let him intimidate me. Not anymore.

Memories of raised hands that never landed started on a loop in my mind.“You don’t need a PhD”and“All that makeup makes you look cheap.”

Declan’s hand was on my back, a silent reminder that I was going inward. Be strong, that touch said. I was the new Leigh now. I didn’t need protection. I could do this on my own.

Declan extended a hand to Ann. “Leigh told me all about you, Mrs. Barton.”

She gave him an appreciative once-over. “We’re always happy to have an Italian consultant on staff.”

Declan gave her a casual smile. “Only a quarter Italian, I’m afraid. From my paternal grandmother.”

The conversation barely registered. I couldn’t tear my eyes from Finn. The lopsided grin. The cocky swagger. Memories I couldn’t forget.“That dress is too tight—it shows off your lumpy hips.”

Declan held out a hand to Finn, introducing himself.

Finn met his gaze with a challenging one of his own. “Finn,” he said, and then added with extra emphasis, “Leigh’s boyfriend.”

I barely stopped myself from choking. Boyfriend? Finn was definitely not my boyfriend anymore. I took a quick breath. “Ex.”

Declan’s response was even and measured. “I’ve heard plenty about you, as well, Finn. Didn’t know you worked here, though.”

Dad smiled at my slimy ex. “It’s temporary, until Isaac gets home.”

“But Finn doesn’t know anything about the business.” Was I the only one who saw how ridiculous this was? “Plus, he already has a job.”

“It’s perfect.” Ann dismissed me with a wave of her hand. “Leigh, you can teach Finn all about the business, then he can travel to client sites and conferences, be the public face of your designs, just like Isaac was.”

What?

“That way, you won’t have to overtax yourself; you can just settle down and get back to work.” She smiled at Declan. “I’m sure you can help speed that up.”

Finn approached me, a calculated grin on his face.

I tried to step back, but Declan’s sturdy presence stopped me.

“Leigh,” said Finn, his tone too serious. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the direction things were headed before you left for Rome. I realize now what I did wrong.”

Doubtful.

Finn reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. He sank onto one knee, opening the box to reveal a diamond solitaire.

What the hell?

“I talked to Isaac, and he made it clear. He said, ‘Finn, you fool, Leigh wanted to get married.’ I was an idiot for not jumping at the opportunity to put a ring on your finger.” He held the box toward me, the display lights exploding inside the diamond. “What about it, angel?”

Panic, cold and icy in my spine, ran through me. Memories of how he dictated what I wore, how he never let me choose where we went for dinner, and when he made fun of my passions. My mind was spinning, struggling to piece my thoughts together.

I looked at my father. “What did Ann mean by Isaac being the ‘public face’ of my designs?”

My father exchanged a glance with Ann before returning his gaze to me. “Isaac was just better suited to the attention than you, Leigh. He has a more charismatic personality, while you? You’re more reserved, shy. I was concerned you might be too stressed to manage it.”

A fire lit inside me. Stoked by Declan’s steady presence beside me. Declan never failed to highlight my talent. He consistently encouraged me to stand up for myself.

Ann gestured toward me, an air of superiority about her. “Just look at you, Leigh. After two weeks in Rome, you have bags under your eyes and too much of a tan. You need to be more careful with your health.”

“Why on earth did you think I couldn’t handle those things?” A wave of anger surged through me. “No, wait. Because Isaac is a selfish, arrogant jerk, and I let him muscle his way into the lead designer position.”

Another memory hit me, sharp and bitter. Isaac’s angry reaction when I was chosen for the Cassaforte job. My success, my potential—it threatened him. That’s why he taunted me about the job at Edoardo’s. He knew I was better than him, so he did everything he could to make me feel small.

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