Page 67 of Suddenly Tempted
Pushing her way through the throng of people, Darcy made her way to the front of the assembly, her heart pounding with adrenaline. She didn’t stop to think about what she was doing. There was no time to question it. She reached the empty chairs, the ones meant for Devlin and Claudia, and with a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t being watched, she swapped out Devlin’s name card with the Queen of Hearts onto his seat. She couldn’t risk being seen. If Claudia worked out who she was, then she’d have her thrown out of the clinic.
Please let him find it,she thought, her pulse racing.
It was only when she got to the back of the gardens that she stopped and turned around. Past the assembly of bobbing heads she made out Devlin and Claudia walking across the garden. They were side by side, but from here Darcy couldn’t tell how close they were, or whether they were holding hands.
Please be strong, she thought, trying to broadcast the message into Devlin’s head.Please, just be you.
“Excuse me,” said a voice behind her. Darcy wheeled around to see a security guard there. “May I see your press ID?”
“Oh, sorry,” she said. “I’m just leaving.”
She kept her head down as she walked away, heading for the alleyway where the car was still waiting for her. Climbing inside, she leaned over to the driver.
“Can you tune in to the local radio?” she asked. “Can we listen to the press conference on the way?”
“Sure,” the driver said. He pressed the buttons until he reached the right station, and Darcy’s tummy flipped as she recognised Devlin’s voice.
She hoped the note would be enough, that Devlin would understand it.
Because if he didn’t, then everything was lost.
Chapter 38
DEVLIN
The cold hit Devlin like an icy hammer as he walked out of the clinic. He struggled to breathe, his entire body breaking into shivers. Back on that frozen peak, he’d been exposed to the elements, surrounded by snow and ice, but it hadn’t felt this bitter. It wasn’t just the temperature that made the difference — it was Darcy, her presence a warmth. And it was Claudia — her presence brought nothing but bitterness.
It was a ridiculous idea to hold a press conference outside — the gardens were the only space in the clinic big enough for the sheer number of people who had turned up — but at least he had an excuse to make it quick.
Claudia walked out beside him, sliding her arm through his, and as soon as they left the building the cluster of reporters went wild. Questions flew through the air like arrows and Devlin put his head down, making his way to the empty chairs. There was a scrap of colourful card on one, fluttering in the breeze. It almost flew away, but he snatched it up and held it on his lap as he sat down, no time to look at it, as the doctor had walked to his side and was waving at the crowd to be seated.
“Thank you, thank you,” said the man. “Mr Storm has kindly agreed to a brief press conference focusing on his time in the mountains, and his recovery. He is a strong, determined patient, but I would like to remind you that heisa patient. He was incredibly poorly, and is still convalescing, so I ask you to be respectful.”
The pack of reporters settled down, but there was still an electricity in the air that Devlin could feel on his skin. He shuddered, but it was more to do with the fact that Claudia had taken his hand in hers. He glanced at her and saw her smiling at him, but there wasn’t a shred of warmth or compassion there.
“Be good, Devlin,” she said.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, holding on to the scrap of paper without really thinking about it. “I told you. You win.”
“Mr Storm,” came a voice from the crowd, a young, female reporter bundled up in fake furs. Devlin recognised the dress she was wearing beneath her coat as one of his. “I’m glad to see you alive and well, we all are. Welcome back.”
The crowd applauded, and despite everything, Devlin managed a smile. Maybe Darcy had been right. Maybe people did love him, despite his awful behaviour.
“May I start by asking a question?” the reporter went on.
“Mr Storm has prepared a brief statement,” said the doctor, but Devlin held up a hand.
“I’m happy to take questions,” he said. “Go ahead.”
“I think what we’d all like to know first and foremost is what happened in the mountains to make you realise you wanted to be back with Claudia Romano.”
Devlin opened his mouth to reply, but he had no idea what to say. The urge to stand up and walk away was overwhelming, but he resisted it. The old Devlin would have upped and gone without a single care in the world about who he might have hurt. But Darcy had taught him a great deal in the mountains. She had shown such integrity, and honour. He stood his ground, gritting his teeth.
“I . . . uh . . .” He swallowed hard. If he denied Claudia’s rumour, then she would take him down. If he agreed to it, then he would lose Darcy for ever. Claudia squeezed his hand, more of a warning than an attempt at reassurance. “It did get a bit hairy out there on the mountain. So can I just start by saying that I’m glad to be back. Thank you all for being here.”
He cleared his throat, still trying to work out what to say. What would the old Devlin do now?
“I knew it would be okay,” he said. “And I had a reason to come back.”
