Page 42 of Covert

“I don’t want to hear another word out of your lying mouth.” He glared at her, his eyes turning to molten chocolate as they smouldered with rage.

The flicker of hope within Sam shrivelled and died as she realised he’d heard every damning word she uttered on the phone.

And she’d now have to come clean to the last man on earth she hoped would ever learn the truth.

“Let me explain—“

“I don’t want to hear it,” he interrupted, slamming a fist against a filing cabinet.

Sam sank further into the chair, wishing she could say something, anything, to allay the way he must be feeling right now.

She hated being lied to, almost as much as she hated being pushed around by others, and she knew Dylan wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than the truth.

However, before she could speak, he swung to face her again, neck muscles rigid against the collar of his shirt, an angry flush staining his tanned cheeks.

“I thought you were different, yet you’re not. You’re just like the rest. And I despise you for it.”

He’d startled her when he thumped the steel filing cabinet and her pulse raced. Now, with icy contempt dripping from every word and his cold stare, the blood flowing in her veins froze.

“The rest?” She spoke quietly, hoping her tone would soothe him. It didn’t.

“You lied to me, Samantha, just like the rest of the two-faced women who’ve tried to insinuate their way into my life for monetary gain. I heard you admit it on the phone. You came here under the pretence of working for me, when all you really wanted was a ring on your finger and an easy way into the Harmon fortune. Well, forget it. Your scheme hasn’t worked. Now get the hell out!”

Sam paled as Dylan fixed her with a stare that would’ve sent most people in his business world scuttling for cover.

She didn’t refute his accusations or offer any kind of explanation. Instead, she sat there, clasping her hands together and shaking her head.

Pain, swift and raw, knifed his heart as he watched her, wishing she could’ve been different and knowing the wish was futile.

He’d heard her say her stint here had been a sham and what she’d hoped for was marriage.

So much for his instincts to read people.

He’d been so careful in the past, not falling victim to the women who entered his life with sweet, empty words designed to entice him.

They hadn’t loved him; they’d all been out for one thing, easy access to the Harmon fortune.

He’d managed to harden his heart and thwart them all.

Until now.

That’s what gutted him most. This time, he’d fallen in love against his better judgement, and it hurt like the devil to be betrayed this way.

Though all wasn’t lost. He’d discovered Sam’s plan in time to save the family fortune, if not his heart.

He squared his shoulders and glared at her, instilling every ounce of hurt and betrayal into his voice.

“I said, get the hell out!”

She stood and headed toward the door, not even casting a glance in his direction.

Dylan’s heart shattered as he watched the woman he loved walk out of his life.

31

“It’s for the best… it’s for the best…” Sam silently repeated the words over and over during the flight to Brisbane.

However, as much as she tried to believe them, she couldn’t ignore the image burned into her retinas of Dylan’s horrified expression as he flung accusations at her, hatred etched into every line of his face.

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