“That’s a horrible way to look at the world.”
“That’s the only way to look at the world. Bite it before it bites you.”
“Monroe didn’t have anything to do with your plans.” Desperation colors my voice and he hears it. His grin isn’t happy. It’s cold and knowing.
“You fell in love with him, didn’t you? Monroe knows what he’s supposed to do. Not his fault if you fell for him.”
Harper snarls and steps in front of me. “You better get the hell out of here before he gets here. I don’t think he’d like how you’re talking to my cousin!”
He smirks but it’s still damn cold. “He wouldn’t give a flying fuck how I’m talking to her. Not if he’s got any sense.” His gaze runs down my body and I shrink in on myself, choking on tears. “You Murphy women are all the same. Not worth a damn dime. Do yourself a favor and sell this place to me. Get the hell out of town while you can. Before you have to watch him meet some other woman and fall in love. Real love.” His cold eyes run down my body again. “Not whatever this is.”
Then he turns on his heel, dragging his one leg behind him, the cane thumping angrily.
Turning around, I wipe the tears from my eyes. “I shouldn’t have let him get to me.”
Harper pats my shoulder. “You have every right to react like this. Cry as long as you want. But if that fucker was using sex with you to get what he wants, I say we tar and feather his gorgeous ass!”
Choking, I turn into her shoulder and sobs wrack my body. I love that man and it’s almost certain that he wasn’t joking. He was seriously trying to maneuver me into giving his family what they’ve always wanted.
And I fell for it hook, line and heartbroken sinker.
CHAPTER 10
Monroe
“Hey, Fee! Where are you?”
“She’s not here.” The voice is cold but familiar.
Turning, I smile when I see Harper standing there glaring at me. I’m not sure why she’s pissed but she’s probably mad about something else.
Nothing to do with me.
“Where’s Fee?” Glancing around, I don’t see her. My brow crinkles. I know she told me she was working today.
“She’s not here. She had to go home.” The anger on Harper’s face doesn’t diminish. In fact, she looks pissed as hell.
Stalking up to me, she plants herself directly in my path. “Get out of here. We don’t need your kind around here!”
Grinning, I lean on the wall. “What kind is that?”
“The slimy, sneaky, back-stabbing asshole kind.”
Shock hits me and I stare at her, stunned. I haven’t seen Harper have such a hissyfit for quite awhile.
“What’s going on here, Harper? Fiona was fine when she left her place this morning.”
“That was before your father came here and told her what you’d been planning.”
“I wasn’t planning anything with that man.”
“Well, he told her that you’ve been trying to help him come up with how to get the property away from us.”
Her arms cross on her chest. She’s barely up to my chest but she knows exactly how to punch someone.
My chest tightens. “Surely she didn’t believe I’d do something that despicable?” I ask.
But what can I expect? Murphy and Stephens. They don’t mix. Like oil and water.
