Page 40 of The CEO

“Yes, until he caught you two together. Why on earth would you do it at their house?”

He shrugged. “Yes, that was stupid on my part. I thought Adam was at work and, believe it or not, I missed her.”

Bree nodded. “Right. You missed her. I don’t believe that for a moment. You thought you’d have one more thing to hold over Adam’s head. One more thing to torture him with.”

Simon moved the other chair, so the back faced Bree. Then he straddled it. He watched her face for hints that she knew what was going on. “You’ll only be here for a short time. I’m sure Adam will pay my price.”

She continued to work the ropes holding her hands together. The rope cut into her wrists, the burn painful, but not enough to stop her. “Adam won’t pay anything for me. Our marriage is one of convenience, not a love match.” At least not for him. He could get another woman to be Lilly’s mother after Bree was dead. She had no doubt that he could find a willing volunteer. He was too kind and too handsome to be a widower for long. Her throat felt full of the lump that formed there as she thought about Adam with another woman.

“Ah, poor Bree, she doesn’t even realize Adam’s in love with her. He’s been in love with you for years. I think even before he divorced Valerie, though I’m not sure he recognized it. He was always there for you. Whenever you needed him, he dropped whatever he was doing and ran to your aid.”

Her heart jumped into her throat and her pulse raced.Could it be true?“That’s not true. He loved Valerie. That’s why he married her.”

He slashed a hand out. “Don’t be naïve. He thought it was time he married and did so with the woman he was currently dating. That was Valerie. On my orders, of course.”

“How do you know so much about Adam and what he’s feeling? I didn’t know you were close.”

“We used to be. He and I worked together for some time before he started Kincaid Holdings. I thought we’d start it together, but then I made the mistake of going after one of the accounts on my own. He found out and that was the end of our working together.”

“Sounds to me like you weren’t working together at all. How long did you work behind his back?”

Simon laughed. “You’re not only beautiful but smart. Adam’s a lucky man.”

“I think I’m the lucky one in our marriage.”

He waved his hand dismissing her thoughts.

The ropes were loosening, so she kept at it and talked to keep Simon occupied so he didn’t notice her working the ropes. He was too proud of himself. “You’re an evil man, Simon Chandler. Has anyone ever told you that…to your face?”

He threw back his head and roared with laughter. “You are truly a delight. It’s too bad I didn’t see you first.”

“As if there is anything you could offer to make me be with you.”

“You never know. I might just have something, maybe money…”

“I don’t need your money. I didn’t marry Adam for his money. I have more money than I’ll ever spend. I wanted a family, and I got one. I love Lilly more than my life, so there is nothing you can give me that I don’t already have.” She removed her left hand from the rope.

His lips turned up on one side. “Perhaps I should have taken the baby instead of you.”

She launched herself at him, her hands going for his neck. “You stay away from my daughter. You’ll never touch her.” She dug her nails into his flesh.

He was stronger than she was and forced her hands away.

She scratched him deeply on both sides of his neck.

He freed his right hand, formed a fist, and slammed it into her jaw.

The impact was enough to shove her off of him.

Simon threw the chair to his right and scrambled to his feet.

Bree laid on her side, the wind knocked out of her.

He kicked her twice in her ribs. “That will teach you to attack me.”

Knowing he would kick her again; she made herself as small as possible and bent into a fetal position.

The door to the warehouse blasted open, and four masked men swarmed inside.