I wanted to cry.
Not just for hurting my friend … but because Murray had betrayed my trust.
Murray!
The tightness in my chest worsened and the world started to spin as the familiar terror bound me. My cheeks tingled and I felt paralyzed by the sensation taking control of my body.
I’m dying.
Oh god, I’m dying.
I didn’t know how long I huddled against the reception room wall struggling to breathe or focus until Emmy found me. Her calm voice brought me out of the panic attack and when it was over, I was exhausted. I felt like I’d just run a week-long marathon. The Canadian seemed to understand exactly what happened and brought me a glass of water before insisting I lie down in one of the empty guest rooms.
I thought about it.
But anger pushed through my exhaustion and despite Emmy’s protestations, I grabbed my purse and car keys. Fumbling for my phone, I shot off a text to Murray.
Where are you?
I was just about to get into the car when my phone beeped. It was Murray.
Just pulled up to the office. You OK?
A million emotions made my fingers fly aggressively over my keypad and I ended up having to correct a bunch of errors before I pressed send.
I need you to meet me at the house. Now.
I got a single word back.
OK.
I assumed the asshole knew why I was so abrupt in my texts. My heart winced at even calling him an asshole in my head. But he was! He was such an asshole for turning out to be just another asshole!
Fifteen minutes later, I pulled up to the house behind Murray’s Discovery. He leaned against it and my heart hurt at how handsome he was.
A handsome asshole!
It was too difficult to dwell on how devastated I was, so I grabbed the reins of my rage and flew out of my car. “How dare you!” I yelled, stopping a good distance from him.
Murray’s expression was pained as he pushed off his SUV, palms out to me like I was some kind of frightened animal he was trying to coax. “A ghràidh, please hear me out.”
“Don’t call me that!” I spat, my entire body vibrating with the aftermath of my panic attack and my wrath.
He had the audacity to flinch.
“You went behind my back and told Nee I didn’t want to work for her. That I wasn’t happy.”
“I didn’t mean to do that. I just want you to be happy and she deserves to know.”
“That wasn’t up to you!”
He winced again. “I know. I’m an idiot.”
“No, you’re worse than an idiot!” I took a step back as Murray walked toward me. “Stop. Don’t come near me.”
Murray appeared shocked. “I would never hurt you, London.”
I guffawed. “What the hell do you call this? Because I call it trying to control my life and I will never let a man try to control my life. Ever again.”
