! This is nothing to do with you.” I glare
venomously at her, anger replacing my fear. How dare she
do this? Not now, not today. Not on Christian’s birthday.
Surprised by my response, she blinks at me, green eyes
wide.
wide.
“Ana, what is it?” Christian says again, his tone more
menacing.
“Christian, would you just go, please?” I ask him.
“No. Show me.” He holds out his hand, and I know
he’s not to be argued with—his voice is cold and hard.
Reluctantly I give him the e-mail.
“What’s he done to you?” Kate asks, ignoring
Christian. She looks so apprehensive. I flush as a myriad
of erotic images flit quickly across my mind.
“That’s none of your business, Kate.” I can’t keep the
exasperation out of my voice.
“Where did you get this?” Christian asks, his head
cocked to one side, his face expressionless, but his
voice . . . so menacingly soft. Kate flushes.
“That’s irrelevant.” At his stony glare, she hastily
continues. “It was in the pocket of a jacket—which I
assume is yours—that I found on the back of Ana’s
bedroom door.” Faced with Christian’s burning gray gaze,
Kate’s steeliness slips a little, but she seems to recover
Kate’s steeliness slips a little, but she seems to recover
and scowls at him.
She’s a beacon of hostility in a slinky, bright red dress.
She looks magnificent. But what the hell is she going
through my clothes for? It’s usually the other way round.
“Ha一ve you told anyone?” Christian’s voice is like a silk
glove.
“No! Of course not,” Kate snaps, affronted. Christian
nods and appears to relax. He turns and heads toward the
fireplace. Wordlessly Kate and I watch as he picks up a
lighter from the mantelpiece, sets fire to the e-mail, and
releases it, letting it float afire slowly into the grate until it is
no more. The silence in the room is oppressive.
“Not even Elliot?” I ask, turning my attention back to
Kate.
“No one,” Kate says emphatically, and for the first
time she looks puzzled and hurt. “I just want to know
you’re okay, Ana,” she whispers.
“I’m f
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