by Angelo, Judy
Erin almost laughed. She’d had no idea he was such a good actor. “Just fine, honey,” she said, her voice sugary-sweet. Two could play that game. She smiled and looked across at Robyn whose face sported a bright and very false smile. “Dare, I would like you to meet my friend, Robyn.”
Dare gave a chivalrous bow and took Robyn’s proffered hand. He bent his head and kissed the back of it and she gave a girlish giggle.
Erin almost rolled her eyes. Please.
Dare released her hand then gave her an apologetic look. “You’ve been here two days and I’m just getting the chance to meet you. My apologies. My work has kept me very busy these last few days.”
“Oh, not at all,” Robyn said with a wave of her hand. “I know how it is. You have to make the money, right?” She gave a tinkly laugh. “But I hope you’ll be here for dinner this evening. After all, you can’t work all the time.” She cocked her head in her classic Robyn pose, the one where she added a slightly pouty mouth that men thought was cute.
Dare gave a slight nod. “I’ll do my best to fulfill my duties as your host.”
That got a smile of celebration from Robyn. “I look forward to getting know you.” The way she said the words, so low and seductive, left no room for doubt as to her meaning.
Erin felt a slow heat rising from her belly but Dare seemed to take things in stride.
“I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you for breakfast.” He was reaching for an apple as he spoke. “I’ll just munch this on the way. Enjoy your day.” With that he was gone, leaving the women alone in the room.
“What was that all about?” Erin hissed.
“What?” Robyn’s face was all innocence.
“You know what. You were flirting with Dare. He’s supposed to be my husband, remember?”
“Supposed to be?” Robyn lifted an eyebrow. “Sounds to me like you’re not sure. Maybe you’re in over your head?”
Erin frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, what’s a girl like you doing with a man like him? You’re not even in the same class.”
So there it was. The gloves were off now. No need for pretenses anymore. The fight was out in the open.
“You don’t know anything about money,” Robyn continued, the veil gone from her face now contorted with spite. “You’re out of your league here.”
Erin felt her heart tighten. It was true. She was like an alien in this world of riches. But still, Robyn had no right. “He’s my husband,” she said finally, her voice strong and defiant. “No matter what you may think, he’s mine and I’m part of his world.”
“We’ll see about that.” Robyn sat back in her chair, her expression smug.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning we’ll just see how long your husband keeps you here once he finds out about the real you.”
Erin gasped. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me,” Robyn smirked.
“You would break up a marriage just to soothe your ego?”
“I just want Dare to know exactly who he married. That’s only fair.”
Erin took a deep breath. The nightmare had begun and it was far worse than she’d expected. She knew Robyn had not come to the island to be supportive. She’d even expected a little flirtation, but this? To threaten to reveal a secret she’d shared in confidence, a secret that could jeopardize her marriage?
She decided to use her wild card. Her face calm, she looked Robyn in the eyes. “You would break up a marriage even though I’m expecting Dare’s child?”
That did the trick. Robyn stared at her, her face frozen in shock. “You’re pregnant?”
In answer Erin got up and unbuttoned the loose jacket she’d been using to hide her condition. The bump in her belly was now obvious through the cotton fabric of her blouse.
“My God.” Robyn looked at her belly and her face grew red. “How could I have missed that?”
The tension was suddenly too much for Erin. She walked over to the counter as a sudden wave of nausea washed over her. She sucked in a deep breath, willing her churning stomach to settle. She couldn’t afford to show weakness. Not now.
She had her head down when she heard Robyn’s voice again. It seemed to be coming from far away. “Now I see what happened. You devious little witch. You knew exactly what you were doing, didn’t you?"
The venom in the woman’s voice was like a knife thrust into Erin’s belly. Why did Robyn hate her so much? With shaking hands she reached up and took a glass from the cupboard then filled it from the tap. She took a few sips then drew in her breath and turned around. Now she was ready.
“Robyn, I don’t know what I was thinking when I allowed you to come here. Obviously it was a big mistake. I want you to leave.” Erin made her voice strong and bold even though she felt almost ready to pass out.
“You…want me to leave?” Robyn spluttered. "You’re throwing me out?”
“Yes,” Erin said, her voice surprisingly calm. “You came here knowing that you held the handle while I was holding the blade. You planned to use that against me, make me submit to your desires, even if it meant flirting with my husband. Even stealing him. It’s not going to happen.”
Robyn pushed her chair back, making a long scraping sound on the marble tiles. “Oh, so we’re tough now, are we? Don’t care about our reputation anymore? One word from me and this doll’s house can come tumbling down around your ears.”
The nausea was coming back. Beads of perspiration popped out on Erin’s brow and again she had to turn away. She couldn’t take this, not now, not in her condition. “Robyn,” she whispered as she struggled to keep her breakfast down, “please leave.”
As Robyn stormed out of the room Erin held on to the counter then made her way back to the table where she sank gratefully into the chair. She sat there for a while gulping in air then she gathered just enough strength to get up and grab a can of ginger ale from the fridge. It was the only thing guaranteed to dispel her nausea.
It took a whole ten minutes for Erin to return to normal. Still, she did not move. She sat there thinking. And thinking.
What was she going to do now? She'd just upset - no, angered - the one person in the world with the power to create a mess of her life. Well, the one person outside of Dare DeSouza. She had created a real enemy.
She clenched her fists in her lap. Whatever Robyn chose to do she would have to deal with it even if it meant that she ended up on the street. But there was no way she would continue to live under that witch’s control.
Her mind made up, Erin got up and went to find the chauffeur. Robyn would need the ride back to the airport.
CHAPTER NINE
Dare sank into the seat of the town car and, eyes closed, rested his head against the back. It had been another rough day. They hadn’t had any luck in locating Bart Reynolds in Europe. What was the use, anyway? The contract he’d signed was airtight. Two hundred and fifty million. Down the drain, just like that. It was a lot of money to lose.
Dare knew he would recover from this loss. He always did. If there was one thing he knew it was how to fail and keep on coming back. Wasn’t that the common factor linking all successful entrepreneurs?
He sighed. Maybe it was a good thing he’d decided to make it an early night. He’d as much as promised Erin’s friend that he would have dinner with them and he meant to keep that promise. But God, he was dead tired. He hadn’t even bothered to drive himself home. As soon as he called, Carlos had come out to get him. He’d arrived before Dare even had the chance to stuff his papers into his briefcase. Thank God for reliable employees.
Once at home, a brisk shower was all it took to get him back to normal. Dressed in comfortable slacks and a light silk shirt he headed for the dining room where dinner would be served at seven. He was prepared to be pleasant and accommodating, the perfect host. Erin’s friend deserved at least that, if even for one evening. He knew Erin would be pleased he’d made the effort.
Erin. As his mind settled
on her he shook his head. He could not figure her out. She’d thrown him for a loop when she’d adamantly refused him, even pissing him off by intimating that he would have to force her. He’d never forced himself on a woman in his life and he wasn’t planning to start now.
But he would put that incident behind him. Tonight he’d be cool. Tonight it was all about the ladies.
The dining room was softly lit by elegant lamps positioned in the corners. A gold candelabra sat in the center of the table. And there, all alone, sat Erin.
Clearly, she didn’t realize that he’d entered the room. Her eyes downcast, she seemed lost in thought. But what made him pause was the slight droop of her shoulders, a posture that spoke of sadness or pain. Even her mouth had lost its feisty pout.
“Erin.” He said her name quietly but she jumped and jerked around to stare at him with her liquid amber eyes. Even there, in her eyes, he could see a strain that had not been there before. For some reason a feeling of guilt gripped him. Was he the cause?
“Are you alright?” He walked over and pulled out the chair at the end of the table, the one closest to her. He sat down and was just about to reach out and take her hand when he stopped. An innocent gesture but one she might misconstrue. He wasn’t taking any chances.
She gave him a tiny smile and her eyes glittered in the candlelight. Or was that the glitter of tears? Dare could not tell but no matter what he was going through tonight he would be gentle with her. He knew he didn’t have exclusive claim to problems. She was probably facing personal challenges of her own. And he could guess that being pregnant was no easy thing.
“I’m fine, Dare,” she said, and her voice cracked on his name.
What the deuce had upset her so that she seemed on the verge of tears? “What’s wrong, Erin? And where is your friend? Did something happen between the two of you?”
Erin tightened her lips then took a deep breath. “She had to go back to Vancouver earlier than planned. She’s alright, though. She’s fine.”
“It’s not her I’m worried about,” Dare said, frowning. “I want to know about you. Did she upset you?”
Erin smiled again and shook her head but it was a sad smile and Dare was not fooled.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, watching her intently.
“No, that’s okay. Let's just eat.” She picked up her napkin and rested it on her lap then looked at him expectantly.
He did the same but he had suddenly lost his appetite. Erin had been upset or hurt by Robyn whatever- her-name-was but obviously she wasn’t comfortable talking about it. He would give her some space…for now. But damn if he wasn’t going to get some answers. There was a lot about Erin that remained a mystery to him but he was going to get to the bottom of this one sooner rather than later.
They began to dine, in silence at first, and then slowly Erin began to relax in his presence. She popped an olive into her mouth, chewed and then looked over at him. “How did you manage to leave the office early today? You’ve been so busy with your project I didn’t think you’d make it back in time for dinner.”
“I promised,” he reminded her. “Your friend made me.”
At the mention of the recent departee her face clouded over but then it cleared and she was smiling again. “Well, I’m glad you made it.”
Dare said nothing but he had to admit he felt good about it, too. Since he'd brought Erin back to the island he’d spent precious little time with her. Hell, they’d hardly exchanged words except for that time he’d tried to carry her off to his bed. And that had ended in disaster.
“And how’s it going?” she asked. “Your project, is it almost completed?”
Now it was Dare’s turn to look glum. He’d vowed not to even think about the damn thing tonight but now that Erin had brought it up all his anger came flooding back.
“Trust me,” he said, “you don’t want to know.”
“Oh, but I do,” she said quickly and reached out to touch his arm.
He dropped his eyes and looked at her hand and it looked so small and defenseless against the muscles of his arm. He was still staring at her hand when she pulled it away and in her eyes was a look of chagrin.
He could see that she was stiffening again and withdrawing into herself. He’d better start talking before she shut him out altogether. “Do you want the short version or the long version?” He said it with a smile, hoping to get her to relax again.
He knew he'd found success when she smiled again and said, “I'm not going anywhere. Let's have the long version.”
And so it was that he told her about his two hundred and fifty million dollar dilemma.
“Oh, my God. Dare, you're joking.” Her eyes were wide with wonder. “Right?”
He chuckled. “I wish.”
“My God,” she whispered, her eyes never leaving his face. “I can’t even begin to imagine that amount of money. And you lost all that?”
He shrugged. “Pretty much. I still have the property but most of the buildings are only fit to be bulldozed. I guess I’ll have to start from scratch with this one.”
“Oh, no,” she said then she looked back at him with a worried expression. “Does that mean you're bankrupt? Will you lose your house?”
She looked so distressed that Dare burst out laughing. “No need to worry your little head. You won’t be put out on the street. I’ll still be able to buy you little trinkets.”
That got him a glare from Erin. “I’m not worried about me, you idiot. I’m worried about you. I’m used to being poor. You’re not.”
“So sweet of you, cherie,” he said in a teasing tone, hoping to get another rise from her. She was so cute when she was angry. “But I’ll be fine. It’s a lot of money but it won’t make me go broke.”
“Wow.” The word was filled with awe. “I can’t imagine being so rich that I could say words like that.”
“Oh, but you are, my dear.”
“I’m what?”
“Rich. You’re my wife. We didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement so you are part owner of the estate.” Then he looked at her through narrowed eyes, trying to gauge her reaction. “That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?”
For a moment Erin stared at him, a confused look on her face, then as his meaning sank in her face turned red and she shot up from her chair. “Dare DeSouza, you’re the one who came looking for me. You’re the one who forced me to marry you so don’t you accuse me of pursuing you for your money. You’ve got some nerve-”
“Okay, calm down. I was only joking.” He reached out to grasp her wrist and tug gently until she sank back into her chair.
“Your joke was in bad taste.”
“Yes, I can see that,” he said, trying to look sorry although inside he was grinning. That had certainly put the pink back into her cheeks. He much preferred the passion of her anger to seeing her sad and defeated.
“But seriously,” he continued, “do you know the worst part?”
“What? Isn’t losing all that money the worst part?”
“No, losing a friend.” He hoped she could see that this part was no joke. “I lost someone I’ve known for years, someone I thought I could trust.” He clenched his fists and just stopped short of pounding it on the table. “If you can’t rely on someone so close to you, who else can you trust?” He lifted his head and looked at her. “If there’s one thing I expect from my friends it’s honesty, you know?”
For a second Erin looked nonplussed then she nodded quickly but he could see the blood rising up her neck and to her cheeks. She looked like she wanted to say something but no words came. Instead she carefully placed her napkin beside her empty plate and for the second time that night she stood up. “I’m feeling a bit tired. I think I’ll go to bed now.”
She didn’t even wait for him to reply. She walked away, leaving Dare staring after her in confusion.
Now what had he said to upset her? He shook his head. If he lived a million years he would never understand women.
***
After her dinner with Dare, Erin went back to her old strategy - avoid him as much as possible. That seemed to have been working fine until Robyn came and spoiled everything.
She knew she was being foolish but she still hadn’t gotten over the shock of Dare’s last statement at the dinner table. It was like he’d been talking about her. The guilt would not let her sit still and she’d had to leave as fast as she could before she broke down and told all.
It was five days since Robyn left the island and she hadn’t heard a whisper since then. With each day that passed she breathed a sigh but she could guess that the girl would drop her bombshell at a strategic moment, at that point when it would hurt most. It was only a matter of time.
After a week passed and then two without any word from Robyn, the tension in Erin’s belly began to dissipate. The threat still hung over her head but how long could she remain on edge? She willed herself to be calm. She had her baby to think about and she would not let anything - neither high blood pressure nor negative emotions - consume her and jeopardize the health of her unborn child.
She signed up for classes at the local Mommy Yoga Center and fell into a comfortable routine of yoga and birthing classes in the mornings and daily swims in the pool in the cool of the evenings. Eventually she stopped thinking about Robyn and the threat she posed.
With the passing of time Erin grew rounder and rounder until she looked like she had swallowed a basketball. When Dare teased her, calling her his panda bear, Francine came to her defense and laughingly found names for him, too. It didn’t help that those names were in Spanish so Erin had no idea what she was talking about. She didn’t care, though. It felt good to have another woman on her side. She and Dare fell into a comfortable rhythm that made Erin sometimes forget that her marriage was not quite the norm. From observing them no one would guess that their marriage was in name only.
Their idyllic life on the island hit a snag when it was announced that a hurricane was on the way. At the news Erin became filled with a sense of dread. She tackled Francine in the kitchen.
