How the fuck can he be so calm?
Inside, Paul was a wreck.
“So?” she echoed, her expression incredulous. “You can’t have sex with your employee!”
Adam lowered his arms slowly, his gaze locked on the direction of her voice. “I’m sorry,” he began, speaking slowly. “I didn’t realize that was part of his contract.” When she fell silent, Adam tilted his head to one side. “Youdidstipulate in his contract that he wasn’t allowed to have sex with his employer, didn’t you?”
Caroline spluttered. “Well, no, but?—”
“Butnothing.” Adam straightened. “And I wouldn’t pursue that any further if I were you, not after what I learned today.”
“Which was what?” Caroline spat out.
“I had an interesting visit,” Adam said, his smile widening, “from Dave Kennedy.”
Paul could almost taste the silence.
“Oh, Lord,” Caroline said weakly.
“I don’t think the Lord had anything to do with your plans,” Adam retorted. “When did you intend telling me you were going to turn my house into a guesthouse? A B&B? The first day it opened for business?” His nostrils flared. “At least now I know why you were so keen for me to live in monitored accommodation. How did you think you’d get away with it? Did you imagine I wouldn’t find out, on an island this size?”
“Adam, I?—”
“Why would you do this, Caro?” Adam thundered, his face mottled. “You already have a tea shop. Isn’t that enough for you?”
“Business has been very poor the last few years,” she said, her face white. “It’s been hard to make ends meet.” She bit her lip. “I thought a B&B would do well in Steephill, seeing how the rental properties down there are always fully booked all year round.”
“Christ, Caro, if you need more money coming in, there’s an easy solution. Get your son off his fat lazy arse and tell him to find himself a job!” Dean growled at the back of his throat and Adam whipped his head around to glare in his direction. “And you can shut it, after the stunt you pulled.” He turned his attention back to Caroline. “I’m surprised at you. That could have been nasty.”
Caroline frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Paul took in her genuine air of puzzlement. “Adam, I don’t think she has any idea what you’re talking about.”
Adam lifted his eyebrows. “Dean thought that one up all on his own?” His lips twisted into a thin smile. “Why, Dean, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Shut it, you,” Dean muttered.
Adam ignored him. “Your precious son left the cold-water feed shut off on the shower, so the next time I used it, things got a little… hot.”
“Dean?” Caroline gaped at him. “Is that true?”
Dean lurched to his feet, his fists clenched tightly. “I wanted to do something to help you,” he whined. “I thought if he called you and told you how he’d got burnt in the shower, it would’ve been another argument for him moving out like you wanted.” He gave Adam a filthy look. “Only he didn’t call you, did he? I didn’t count on that.”
Caroline sank onto the couch, her face still pale. “I never asked you to do that. You… you might have seriously hurt him. You took a chance, too, that it would be Adam who took the next shower.”
“I thought you’d be pleased,” Dean said belligerently.
“Why on earth would I be pleased about that? Heisstill my brother!”
Paul felt sick to his stomach.
“Just so we’re clear,” Adam said, rising to his feet, “I have no intention of moving out ofmyhome. Paul and I are coping just fine with things the way they are, so please feel free to stay out of our way.”
Caroline appeared to have regained her composure. She sneered at Adam. “You and Paul. I hire someone to help you out and you turn him into your whipping boy, literally.”
Adam became very still. “Excuse me?”
Paul’s stomach roiled.
