Page 5 of Black Mark's Heart

"No. I lost my temper."

Tracey was very quiet for a solid minute. "When she comes back, she is going to want that explanation, Dare."

"I will not be strong enough to throw her away a second time," I explained. "I have already instructed my people I do not want to see or hear from her. She will need to get the explanation from her father."

"Then I hope you never want her back," Tracey replied sadly. "If you can't at least apologize for what has gone down between you, she is never going to want to see your face ever again." There was a noise in the background, and Tracey covered the mouthpiece while she replied. "Look, Dare, I have to go deal with an issue. I am sorry for what has happened. Come and see me when you get back, and we can talk some more."

Tracey hung up the phone, but my head was still spinning from Tracey's words. I knew she was right, but I knew facing off with Mora was not going to lead anywhere good for either of us. Mora was a true romantic. Love came before everything else. Love of your partner and especially the love of your children. I knew better, but I couldn't resist Mora, so being in the same room as her while she begged me to choose her was not an option. I put my phone down and decided I wouldn't ask Zander or Warren about Mora again.

***

I stayed away for a week and flew back early on the Monday morning, a week after I lost the woman I loved. Clark collected me from the airport, professional as always, and drove me straight to the office so I could get started and catch up on what I had missed. I was going to be in concept meetings for most of the day, plus Warren had two interviews with potential new personal assistants scheduled in.

I walked into my office and headed straight for the shower. I stopped dead in the wardrobe. There, beside my clean suits, hung Mora's crumpled wedding dress. The image of her walking down the aisle in the silver and ivory silk, the brightest smile I'd ever seen on her beautiful face, was quickly chased away by the memory of that raw vulnerability in her eyes just before she ran out of the door.

I showered and dressed and then went to the office to get what work done that I could before my first meeting at nine o'clock.

"Welcome back," Warren greeted when he came in at ten to nine. He held a pile of papers in his hand. "Here is a summary for all your meetings today." He placed them on my desk. "The resumés of the two candidates being interviewed today." That formed another pile on the front of my desk. "The annulment forms arrived last week as requested. All the areas you need to sign are indicated. John Hicks asked if you could get to those sometime this week. The sooner they are lodged, the more likely an annulment will be granted." Warren placed that down next, tapping the top of it.

"You have an objection to voice?"

"If you sign these, with what is written in here, you will perjure yourself," Warren informed me steadily.

I did not need to read the papers to know what he was referring to. The memory of unzipping Mora's wedding dress, of laying her beneath me and making her my wife had been plaguing my dreams all week. I looked at the papers and then raised my eyes to Warren. "Anything else?"

Warren placed a slip of paper in front of me. "The photographer said your wedding photos are ready. You can log on with this password and select which photos you would like printed."

I took the slip of paper and placed it above my keyboard. "Thank you." I took the pile of reports for the meetings today and started going through them, highlighting key items for the first meeting.

"Are you even going to ask about her?" Warren demanded, frustrated.

"No."

Warren thumped the desk. "Three days she was missing. Since then, she has only crawled from her bed to play her cello. The whole of Flood Street is currently suffering from major depression because of the haunting music Mora is playing."

I knew that Mora's music was felt deep in your soul. I could empathize.

"You need to talk to her, Dare. You need to explain why to her," Warren demanded.

"Has Marshall explained?"

"Yes, but..."

"Has Mora asked to see me?"

"No."

"Then she knows nothing I say will change the circumstances, therefore, my orders stand."

Warren slammed his hands on the desk. "She is not eating, and she has not left her room since she returned. She is lying down to die and you are the one killing her, Dare."

I stood up, collecting what I needed for the meeting. I walked around the desk and stopped in front of Warren, meeting his eyes evenly. "Mora Ellis is no longer our concern. She is neither an employee of Lynwood, nor a resident in my home. Her health and welfare are of no concern to us. Am I understood?"

Warren gave me the filthiest look I think he'd ever given me. "Yes, boss."

"Good. Get rid of that dress. I do not care what happens to it, but I want it gone before I get back."

Warren squared his shoulders. "I will find a bed for it to waste away and die in like the jilted bride who wore it."

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