“Why? Because you?—?”
“I’m not even going to answer that absurd question.” My unrelenting gaze bores into his. “Your behavior is not only inappropriate, but downright embarrassing.”
“What is going on here?” My boss, Ms. Ryan, walks into the office and my stomach sinks. She takes one look at Devlin on the floor, and my deranged husband hovering over him, and calls for security.
“I can explain,” I tell her. “It’s a misunderstanding.”
She nods, as if she already knows what’s going on here. “I know who you’re married to Mrs. O’Rourke. I’m sorry, but for the safety of everyone at this agency, you’re fired.”
I blanch. She can’t mean it. I’m losing my job because of Cian’s jealous actions?
Cian steps forward, all intimidation. “You can’t fire her. Get Connor Bane on the phone, he’ll straighten this out.”
Ms. Ryan isn’t impressed by his attempt to go over her head. “I’ll be sure to have Mr. Bane give you a call.” She turns to me. “You have five minutes to pack your things and leave the premises.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, and her gaze softens. She’s clearly sympathetic, even though she’s doing what she has to do.
I grab my stuff from my desk, glaring at Cian when he tries to help. The rest of the office remains silent as everyone gawks at us. I’m never going to live this down. Maybe it’s for the best that I’ll never see any of these people again. It’s too embarrassing.
Head held high, I march out to the bay of elevators. Cian follows, but I barely spare him a glance. He’s single handedly ruined not only my day, but my entire work life. I only got the job here because his cousin owns the place. There’s no way in hell they’ll give me a good reference after Cian assaulted my co-worker.
Hell, we’re probably going to have charges filed against us. I’m not sure if Devlin’s the type of guy to take a payoff to keep quiet. Will Cian even offer him money? Or will they have another round of this bullheaded insanity in a courtroom?
“I apologize,” Cian murmurs. “This is my fault and I’ll straighten it out.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” I snap at him. “You got me fired. Fired! Because you’re obsessed with the idea of me having an affair with my co-worker. When in reality, nothing has happenedwith him or anyone else. Ever. Donottalk to me. I don’t like you right now.”
The elevator doors open and I step inside. When Cian attempts to join me, I stop him by holding my palm out and say, “Don’t.”
He grits his teeth, but stays firmly planted on the marble floor as the doors close.
On my way down, I text Finn to have him bring up the car from the garage and pick me up. I haven’t decided where to go yet. Not home. I can’t deal with my home life right now.
After debating about the other possibilities, I settle on one of my favorite coffee houses on the Upper East side. The quiet, soothing atmosphere is exactly what I need as I sip my Earl Grey latte and ponder my marriage, my work, and the future.
Honestly, all of it’s looking rather bleak at the moment.
CHAPTER 45
Cian
Ravenna’s cold shoulder feels like the deepest, darkest winter of my life. She only speaks when spoken to, rejects my touch, and we haven’t shared a bed in weeks. I don’t blame her. Not at all. This is all my fault.
Though every time I try to apologize, to beg for her forgiveness, she shuts me down. Or worse, walks away, leaving me on my knees. All alone.
Every morning I wake from haunted dreams, only to be plagued by worries and fears that today’s the day my wife leaves me for good. As much as I can’t live without her, I can understand if she decides she’s through with us.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t believe her innocence. One part of me knows she’s never cheated on me and never would, while a demon inside me insists that I’m being fooled. It whispers that she’s not only unfaithful, but a liar and manipulator.
I’m going crazy.
The days pass in a blur. I’m having trouble telling reality from delusion—I think. My fears eat me alive, consuming me. At night they only get worse.
In the darkness, my own fearful thoughts have the voice of my ex and my brother. They whisper in my ear when I’m trying to sleep. Shawn’s condescending laughter echoes in my bedroom. Even though Ravenna threw away that vanilla and ylang-ylang perfume, I swear I smell it on my sheets and pillows.
What is happening to me? I don’t believe in ghosts—at least I didn’t until recently.
It isn’t until July that Ravenna and I are finally forced to be in each other’s company. We have to attend Ginevra Pontrelli’s wedding in London.
