“David—”
“I will not allow you to push me away anymore because of your fear. You need me.”
Dread slithered in her veins. “I don’t want to marry you. It’s over.”
“No. It’s not.”
He moved so fast she never saw it coming. Grabbing her around the waist, he dragged her against his body and kissed her. Forceful, brutal, a stamp of ownership and not an ounce of care. By the time she tried to fight him off, it was over.
She panted, clenching her fists. “Don’t ever do that again.”
“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.” The ugliness was back, turning him into a man she didn’t recognize. “You’ve humiliated both of us enough. Are you willing to throw away your entire career on a whim?”
“This has nothing to do with my career!”
“Your mental state has everything to do with your career. Everyone knows about your consistent panic attacks. Your own family backs me up. Do you know I documented your breakdowns with the hospital?”
She pressed a shaking hand to her mouth. “You know I don’t have panic attacks. You’re a liar.”
He shrugged. “You’ve been a wreck since the engagement. Everyone saw it. I told HR you were having some episodes but I believed you were still safe on the floor. Told them I urged you to look at some medication, but that the wedding had been adding to your stress. It’s too late to back out of this. We’re meant to be together. If I have to, I’ll prove it to you.”
“You’re insane. You’ll never get away with this. You can’t force me to have feelings I don’t have!”
David shook his head. “You’re still not understanding me. I will do everything in my power to show you we’re meant to be together. I’ve fought for what I wanted in my life without fail. You are no different.” He turned from her. “Think, Genevieve. You’re under my direction. Your career is in my hands. We can have the life we dreamed of if you would just give me another chance.”
“I will never get back with you.” Her body trembled with rage. “I will not let you bully me anymore. I’m getting my stuff today and reporting you.”
“Go ahead. I’ve already told key people at the hospital about your mental state. I have witnesses to back me up. As for your stuff, I already changed the locks in my apartment. You’ll be moving back in with me eventually. This will just give you the proper motivation.”
“Fuck you.”
He frowned and glanced back. “You know I dislike gutter language, Genevieve. You’ve been hanging out with trash for too long. Wolfe is a problem between us. Get rid of him.” He paused. “Or I will.”
He left.
Her knees shook. And for the first time, she was truly scared.
What was she going to do?
Her first instinct was to call Wolfe, but she battled back the urge. He’d been so sweet and supportive, sacrificing his own work schedule to babysit her. They’d been growing closer since they returned and she was tired of him consistently rescuing her. He was prepping for a business trip and didn’t need the distraction. No, she’d handle it. David was probably in a temper and would back down in a few days. He’d never follow through with his blackmail threats to HR. Right? They’d shared too many things together for such ugliness.
No need to blow it out of proportion yet. She’d dig in, focus on her work, and avoid him as much as possible. Another week and things might be completely different.
Genevieve prayed she was right.
Twelve
WOLFE PUSHED AWAY from his desk and paced his lush inner sanctum. He’d learned young to follow instincts. Civility and society did a good job trying to cover up the truth of gut instinct, but he’d take the primitive anytime. It had always served him well, told him of danger, a bad deal, or the way to survive.
Now it was telling him Gen could be in trouble.
He had to work late tonight and prepare for a three-day conference he couldn’t get out of. He’d be locked up nonstop in a train of meetings focused on growing their clientele and sifting through all their investors. The time away with Gen had given him a fresh perspective on Purity, and a few things needed to change. Usually he’d pick a good business deal over a person’s character. After the episode with David, Wolfe decided he didn’t want any weak links in his chain. Odd, he’d always had a unique ability to be ruthless in the pursuit of profit. It made sense. It was cut-and-dried and clean. But lately, he decided Sawyer’s heart and soul were in the hotel empire of Purity, and it ran deeper than money. Both deserved more. Maybe it was time to clean house.
He grabbed his cell and hit her number. The hell with it. Her first week back at the hospital had been brutal. Fortunately, he’d cleared his schedule and been able to spend plenty of time in the evenings with her. Things should be a bit better this week, if he could get over this strange feeling something was going to happen. Of course, Kate and her crew would watch out for her, but he’d gotten used to being the one she depended on.
Wolfe wondered why the fact satisfied him. Maybe because he’d never been needed? Gen was the strongest woman he knew, and her faltering only made him respect her more. There weren’t too many people in the world who dug deep, tried hard, and didn’t make excuses. Everyone lately was full of whiny crap. Poor me with my dead mother or alcoholic father or crappy sibling. Poor me for not getting a job and not having money and getting bullied. Poor me period.
He had no patience for the climate lately. It was much easier to blame your junk and issues on someone else. Gen owned it and wanted to do the work.