Page 53 of Justice for the SEAL
“And the bomb that killedBarbara?”
“That was just a bonus.” He stood and walked to a sideboard, pouring himself a drink. “That woman had been bleeding the life out of me for years. It was well past her time tomoveon.”
He’d treated her badly in life, then he precipitated her death. “You could have justdivorcedher.”
He shook his head. “No. That wouldn’t have worked out nearly as well for me. My parents were peach growers. Her parents were in microprocessors. This is their house, actually.” He held out his arms to encompass the extravagancearoundthem.
Gemma’s stare bounced from the golden chandelier to the high ceilings and two-foot crown moldings. “It’s just a house,Royce.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. It’s my house, and so are the apartment downtown and the ranch outside of Buckhead. There’s even a cute little place in Switzerland.” He put his hand on his chest, fingers splayed. “While I’m sure life without my beloved Barbara will be difficult to take, these small creature comforts will surely provide me with somepleasure.”
Eight years had changed Royce from someone she admired and respected to a foul-spirited villain. She couldn’t believe she’d ever found himattractive.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” heasked.
“You’re different than you usedtobe.”
“You mean when we weretogether?”
Shenodded.
He stood and walked slowly toward her. The back of her neck burned and she refused to lift her head. He bent down so that his eyes were even with hers. “I’m not so different than I usedtobe.”
He reached out and twirled a piece of her hair around his finger. “I could show you, ifyou’dlike.”
She jerked her head to the side, pulling the hair out of hisgrasp.
“That’s right,” he said. “You’ve moved on to that little boy. What’s his name?Logan.”
Her stomach seemed to fall through the floor. “Leave him outofthis.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. You’re the one who put him between us. Now he’s been making waves down at the courthouse, searching for government plates that very closely matchmyown.”
“You! Why would you try to hurt me? Come to my house withagun?”
“I said it was my car, sweetie. Not my gun and certainly not myself at the scene. Though I admit I was looking forward to a clean break from the women in my life.Suchleeches.”
“That’s it? Just because we used to go out, you wanted me dead? Have you lostyourmind?”
“You were the one who made it unpleasant whenever our paths would cross,Gemma.”
She gaped. “Because you lied to me, pretending you weren’t married so that I looked like the office tramp, and my entire career was nearly ruined by gossip andconjecture!”
“Still. I didn’t enjoy seeing you out and about.” He checked hiswatch.
“Am I keeping you from something?” sheasked.
“I’m surprised they’re nothereyet.”
“Who?”
“HERO Force, of course. I’m assuming your little knight in shining braces is going come looking for you, but then again, maybe not. I have more faith in Jax and Leo, however. I left the address on your kitchen counter like a big, red flag. They should beheresoon.”
Her mouth was dry, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth. “What happens when theygethere?”
“Did you see the car bomb that killedmywife?”
Shenodded.
