Page 68 of The Pretender

Air punched out of her lungs. Everything inside her shriveled and her knees buckled. She wanted to slide to the floor and stay there.

She also wanted to lash out. To punch back and hurt him.

“How can you say that?” She looked at his pinched face and closed expression and anger swept through her. People who barely knew her believed her. Harris, Damon, Kramer. But not her own uncle. For the first time the power of that betrayal hit her.Hehad failedher. “Get out.”

He took a step toward her. “You can’t order me.”

The door swung open and Harris stood there with his hand still on the knob. “You should listen to her.”

Stephen barely spared Harris a glance. “This is not your business. Go back to the house.”

“Okay, we’ll do this the hard way.” Harris grabbed her uncle around the neck. Pressed his throat right in the bend of his elbow and squeezed.

“What are you—” Stephen’s voice cut off.

“I’m choking you. Thought that was obvious.”

Her mind scrambled. Nightmare scenarios about this going too far or her uncle suing Harris ran through her head. “Harris, please.”

Stephen kicked out and scratched at Harris’s arm. All the moving and shifting and fighting didn’t have much impact. Harris stood there taking it all, only moving his head to avoid getting hit in the face.

“Calm down.” Harris didn’t ease up on his hold. “Now.”

After a few more minutes of trying to break the grip, Stephen slouched against Harris. He was breathing heavy and his gaze darted around the room. After a few tours it landed on Harris’s bag and the very male underwear sticking out of the top of it in the bedroom.

His fingers tightened on Harris’s arm. “You’re staying here with her?”

“The sleeping arrangements aren’t the issue right now. Your attitude is.” Harris gave the older man a little shake. “Apologize to your niece.”

“Go to hell.” Stephen practically spit out the words.

Harris didn’t look even a little impressed. “Wrong answer.”

Her uncle stared at her. Even in this state, he managed to glare. “Call him off, Gabrielle.”

She’d been a spectator, out of words when Harris walked in. Still stunned by the way her uncle barged in, acting like he belonged here and could say anything without worrying about consequences. Then there was Harris. Sexy and surprisingly rough when he needed to be Harris.

He put his mouth right near Stephen’s ear. “The official name for this is rear chokehold. I restrict your breathing and if I’m really careful you only pass out.”

“Let go of me right now.” Stephen’s voice sounded firm and sure but the color had drained from his face. “You’re fired.”

She almost laughed. Only her uncle would try to pull that right now.

“You didn’t hire me.” Harris looked up at her and rolled his eyes before returning his attention to Stephen. “So, let’s try this again. Are you ready to talk in a civil manner?”

After another round of scuffing the floor and trying to get leverage, Stephen gave up. He honestly never stood a chance. Harris was much younger and in better shape. He also seemed determined to play the role of hero, which was interesting for a man who claimed not to get involved.

Stephen’s shoulders finally slumped and his grip on Harris’s arm eased. “Fine.”

Harris hesitated. He held on until she nodded to let her uncle go.

Once Harris did, Stephen spun around to face him. Adrenaline or fear had his eyes wide and glassy. “Have you lost your mind?”

Harris shrugged. “You’re still alive, aren’t you?”

“And now you two are together.” Stephen eyed up Harris’s bag again then stared at her. “Of course you are. You figured out a way to handle this and get what you want.”

He looked so eager to say whatever horrible thing was in his head. She debated kicking him out and contacting her attorney to keep him away from the island. But she wanted to know whatever was the big news he felt compelled to share. “What are you talking about?”

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