Page 70 of Waiting for a Prince
Sam swallowed. “He said I have to start looking for a new job, because he isn’t prepared to have hisgayson working in his company.” He grimaced. “And that’s the polite version.”
Mark didn’t know what to say. He’d hoped against hope that Sam had it wrong, that his dad wouldn’t prove to be a complete arsehole. But for him to fire his own son…. Mark could only imagine the pain Sam was going through.
A thought occurred to him.
“How did your mum react? Is she like your dad?” He held Sam’s hand, stroking it.
Sam shrugged. “I didn’t think so, but he wouldn’t let me talk to her. I could hear him yelling at her when she wanted to know what was going on.” His chin dropped to his chest, and he sagged into the sofa. “This is such a mess.”
Mark shifted uncomfortably. “And it’s all my fault.” His chest felt tight when he thought of the pain he’d brought into Sam’s life.
Sam jerked his head up, his eyes blazing. “Don’t youeverblame yourself for this. I meant what I said last night. We both knew it was never going to end well, but we can deal with it—together.” He jutted out his chin. “Understood?” Those beautiful blue eyes bored into him.
Mark leaned toward Sam and kissed him softly on the lips. When they parted, he met Sam’s gaze. “Understood.”
The door opened suddenly, and both men jumped. Sonia came into the room, looking flustered. Her eyes went wide when she saw the two of them sitting so closely together, Sam’s hand clasped firmly in Mark’s. She gave Sam a quick nod and then turned to Mark.
“I’m sorry to intrude, but I really think you need to get out here now. Sam, too.”
Mark’s eyebrows shot up. They got up quickly and walked into the salon. Mark stifled a groan as he saw who was waiting bythe reception desk, her fingernails tapping impatiently against the counter.
Rebecca.
This is not going to be good.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Rebecca stoodwith her back to them, immaculately dressed in a linen jacket and pants. Even from the rear, her body language was plain: She was clearly not in a good mood.
Mark glanced around the salon. There were only a few ladies being seen to. He puffed out a sigh of relief. This was not going to be pretty, and the fewer observers, the better.
He walked slowly toward her, Sam behind him. As they drew nearer, Rebecca whirled around, her eyes gleaming when she caught sight of Mark. When Sam stepped into view, she gave him an intense, fevered stare.
“I might have knownyou’dbe here,” she spat out.
Sam opened his mouth to speak but Mark laid a warning hand on his arm. He could already see the expression on Marie’s face from the doorway of the kitchen. She stared at Rebecca in astonishment.
“How can I help you, Rebecca?” Mark struggled to keep his tone polite, although his hands itched to slap her when he thought about how she’d treated his Sam. It was on the tip of his tongue to address her as Becky, only because he knew it would piss her off.
Don’t. She looks as if she’s about to explode any second now.
Rebecca walked slowly across to Mark, until she was standing so close to him that he let out an involuntary shiver. She leaned closer, her breath puffing into his face. “I’ve come to warn you to stay away from Sam.” Her eyes were cold. “You leave him alone, or else.”
Mark held himself straight and looked her in the eye. “Or else what? Is that a threat?” He kept his voice low. In his peripheral vision he saw Marie moving toward them. Every eye in the place was focused on them.
“I could make life very difficult for you here,” Rebecca said through gritted teeth. “You might think differently about being with Sam if you lost your job because of him.” Her eyes glittered. “I could make that happen, y’know. I know people on this island.”
Mark wanted to laugh at this deluded woman who clearly believed she wielded that much power. Before he could say another word, Sam stepped in.
“Rebecca, you need to leave now.” He spoke quietly, but Mark picked up on the slight tremor in his voice. “I’ve already told you—we’re through.” The decisive edge to Sam’s voice made Mark’s chest swell with pride. This was not the same Sam who had sat in the salon all those weeks ago.
Rebecca’s eyes narrowed. “I will talk withyoulater.”
Sam met her gaze head on. “We have nothing to talk about. I made my feelings clear on Saturday night and nothing has changed.”
She removed her phone from her pocket. “Think again. Because youknowwho I’m about to call.”
He gave her a sad smile. “I spoke with Dad this morning. Your bargaining chip is useless.” Then his face hardened. “I’ll be sure to give my regards to Jack when I call him later today. I’m sure he’s going to be very interested in what I have to tell him about his daughter. I’ll have something to show him, too. Thephotos we took on Saturday of my face should prove useful when I visit the police station, too.”
