Deadly Games - Cate Noble [90]
But alcohol also made her emotional, so when he needed better control, like this afternoon, he’d roll out the pharmacy. Dope her up good.
Unfortunately, she’d resisted Harry today. It had taken longer to get her sober enough to dress, to put on make-up. He’d rushed to Melita’s, but parking had been a bitch. Then Gena had balked. Balked.
By the time they’d arrived, Rocco had left the building. Harry’s dream of Gena fawning over him while they sat across from Rocco had gone up in smoke. She’d had on a low-cut dress and Harry had planned to kiss her, maybe discreetly fondle her breast right in front of Rocco.
Damn it, Harry’s whole reason for marrying her, to get back at Rocco Taylor, was not playing out as planned. In fact, tonight she might have pushed Rocco away for good.
In retrospect, Harry regretted not going with his “irate husband” routine. He could have confronted Rocco at the café and accused him of having an affair with Gena.
Or maybe Harry should have let them meet and then walked in on them. Except he didn’t trust Gena to be alone with Rocco for even a short time. Her confession about their little meeting this morning had proven that.
Harry watched as Gena, who had managed to get back up on all fours, tried to crawl for the door. He came around behind her, put his foot on her butt, and sent her sprawling again.
“Geez, honey. Be more careful. What am I going to do with you?”
“Are … are you still mad?” she wailed.
“Me? Mad? Because you kissed Rocco? Or because you admitted you still had the hots for him? Let me think.” He rolled his eyes. She was so pathetic, it wasn’t even fun tormenting her anymore. And yet he wanted to.
No, he wanted to torment Rocco. She was a piss-poor stand-in.
Damn it, Harry would have loved to catch them kissing today.Thanks for telling me everything, Gena.
Harry had been on his way home that morning after his flight was cancelled when he’d gotten a call from the security guard that her car was parked on the side of the road and needed to be moved. Gena had been in no shape to leave the house that morning.
Harry had found her at home, looking guilty, but after admitting leaving the house, she’d looked even guiltier.
He’d poured her a drink. “We need to talk, honey,” he’d said.
By the second drink, she’d spilled her guts, told him everything, including how she’d intended to leave him that morning.
“Because I slapped you around a little?” Harry had asked. “Did you tell Rocco that?”
Oh, no, Rocco thought she’d popped her face on the steering wheel. She’d been embarrassed that Rocco had seen her like that.
Wish he could see you now, princess.
Gena was trying to slink away again. Harry moved past her and closed the doors to his study.
“I’m not through with you, Gena,” he said. “Tell me what you did with Rocco today. When you climbed in his car.”
“I … I kissed him.” She started to cry.
“You kissed him. Did you fuck him, Gena? Did you tell him how you cry out for him at night in your sleep?”
“No,” she said.
“How can I believe you? I think I’ll call Rocco and invite him over here right now. Let’s end this and tell him everything, Gena. Everything. All your horrible little secrets. I’m tired of defending you and covering for you.”
She lunged for his leg and held on. “No! Please, I’m sorry. I’ll never do it again.”
Harry looked at her through narrowed eyes. It was all her fault that his chance to show Rocco up had been blown.
He drained his glass and set it aside before stripping off his belt. At some point her begging for Harry’s forgiveness had changed to her begging for Rocco’s. And she didn’t even know it.
He doubled the leather and slapped it against his open palm. Sometimes it was good that she didn’t remember.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Thai Jungle
October 6, 10:00 A.M.
Maddy clung to Luc, willing the small motorbike to go faster. They were still in grave danger of being caught. Minh Tran’s guards had followed them, but after losing their trail at the river, how much longer had the guards searched the jungle? Had they gone back and called Minh Tran and