Page 116 of In Love and Revenge

The anguish on his face as he works through it, his cheek clenching like he’s grinding his teeth to dust, sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

That’s what bothers him? That he thinks Charlie hurt me? The giant idiot’s getting all worked up because what he told me at my place yesterday is true – he cares about me.

‘He didn’t. I hated what he said to me that night in the restaurant, but losing him didn’t hurt. I wasn’t in love with him.’

Rafael’s brow smooths a little, and the flicker of tentative hope in his eyes makes me want to hug him.

‘You weren’t?’

‘No. Not even close. Our relationship was a welcome distraction after my dad was convicted. It helped take my mind off things. But I never loved him. I don’t think I ever saw a real future together.’

Silence engulfs the car.

‘Are you going to say something?’ I ask.

He stares through the windscreen, his elbow resting on his door, hand scrubbing around his jaw like a storm’s still raging inside him, just beneath the surface.

‘I didn’t love him,’ I repeat. Surely we can move on now? And talk about something more fun than my ex before I have to leave for my client’s house.

Rafael licks his lips, then speaks slowly. ‘Good. It’ll make firing him much easier.’

‘Pardon?’

He reaches across me, opens the glovebox, and takes out a thick manilla envelope.

‘Here.’ He hands it to me, and sits back in his seat, regarding me closely.

‘What’s this?’

‘The company where your ex works. I bought it.’

I stare at him in shock. He can’t be serious. But I know him well enough now to understand that he never bluffs. This is like him buying my building so he could ensure Mike’s soundproofing was installed all over again. Only this is bigger.

‘You bought it? Just now?’

He exhales with a humourless chuckle. ‘I’m a man of means, Aurora. But even I can’t acquire an entire imports company in fifteen minutes whilst driving like a bat out of hell across London to get to you.’

The envelope is a dead weight in my lap. ‘Then when? And why?’

‘The day after I heard the way he spoke to you in the restaurant. I intended to keep it for myself until I’d finished ...dealingwith him the way I saw fit. But seeing as he’s still calling you, trying to weasel his way back into your life, I figured, what better way for you to show him you’re done with him, than to take over his company yourself ... and get rid of him.’

He rolls his neck, cracking it, unable to meet my eyes.

And it dawns on me.

This isn’t about me. It’s about him.

‘This is a test,’ I say in disgust. ‘You want me to go all psycho revengeful ex on him, and for what? Because he’s a bit of a prick sometimes? Because he said some nasty things to me? So what? You’ve said a whole lot worse, and what did I do? I had sex with you, like an idiot!’

‘Aurora,’ Rafael growls in warning, but I’m on a roll. The arrogant arse sitting beside me needs to hear this. I bet no one’s ever stood up to him in his life.

‘Don’t!’ I hiss. ‘Don’t you dare make out you’re doing this for me. You’re doing it for you because you’re a jealous, insecure man who throws his toys out of his pram when he doesn’t get his own way. I don’t care what Charlie’s doing. Him and I are done. And I certainly don’t think about him enough to want to ruin his life insome weird, twisted revenge fantasy. And, frankly, the fact that you would is disturbing! What else are you capable of, huh?’

His lips thin into a grim line. ‘You’re behaving like a child. Not to mention being ungrateful. Take the company, or don’t. But there’s no need to start acting like a brat about it.’

‘A brat? So we’re on to name-calling now? Wow.’ I blow out a breath. ‘Funny, I thought dating an older man would mean they’re more mature. Seems you blew that misconception out of the water. Thanks for clearing it up for me.’

‘Are you saying you have a problem with me being older than you?’