Never Say Never, Part Four (Second Chance Contemporary Romance, Book 4) by Melissa Shaw Page A

much, I can’t deal with this.”  
    “I didn’t betray you, I told him that I was still in love with you, he saw it too and he got jealous.”  
    “Fuck him, fuck Chastity, and fuck it all.” He punched the counter and winced when his fist met glass. He lifted it and walked to the sink, then picked the glass out and ran his hand under the tap.  
    “Are you okay?”  
    “You don’t care, Emily. You can say this shit now, but the bare-assed fact remains that you didn’t care enough to tell me you knew this shit before it went down. You weren’t preserving me, you were preserving yourself.”  
    “I’m so tired of that kind of talk. I’m not a selfish person, I’ve given everything to try get you back, to get the kids back. I’ve changed totally from who I was to who I need to be.”  
    “Whatever,” he replied, then grabbed a cloth and wrapped it around his hand to staunch the bleeding. It reminded her of a time in the past, but she couldn’t touch him now; he would push her away.  
    “I refuse to be judged on my past.”  
    “I’m not judging you on your past, I’m judging you on your present.”  
    Emily glared at him. There was no getting through. She’d tried so hard, given him everything and she’d gotten disdain in return.  
    That anger she’d kept on hold rushed back to her, destroying her logic. She’d never prove herself to him, but at least she could take down Brian Ross. Get the kids back.  
    “So this is it then. I’ve done what I can and you don’t want me.”  
    He clenched that cloth, the blood soaking through.
    “I never want to see you again, Emily McDonald.”  
    Her heart shattered.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    Brian slapped the newspaper onto the desk.  
    His face stared back up at him, the headline reflecting his drunken glare. The papers must’ve looked high and low for the old college photo. They’d blacked out the other guys – his old football team buddies – in it, but they’d all been steamed that day.  
    It was after a particularly sweet victory against a rival team.  
    Now, he was no longer the hero, and not even a martyr, he was a scandal. Public enemy number one. And it was her fault.  
    That bitch ex-wife hadn’t had enough to go to the cops about the murders, obviously, so she’d found another way to bring him down. She’d even used her little fuck buddy Chase to get to him.  
    That was cunning on her part. He’d give her that.  
    Emily had clearly learned a few things during her stint in prison.  
    “Brian?” Amanda, the useless whore, appeared in the doorway, her blonde hair tied up tight and her roots showing.  
    “You look shit. Why didn’t you do your hair like I asked? We’ve got an image to uphold.” Brian tapped his foot beneath the desk.  
    “Love, it’s not like our image is very good at the moment. I don’t think anyone will care what my hair looks like.” Amanda gave a watery smile, then her eyes widened as if she’d just realized what she’d said to him. “Sorry, baby, I’m sorry.”  
    But it was too late. The anger had reached its peak now.  
    “What the fuck did you just say to me?” He rose from his leather office chair and it rolled back and hit the bookcase behind him. “What did you say?”  
    “Nothing, baby, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad, it just slipped out.” Amanda held her arms out and waved them at him, backing away slowly.  
    This stupid cow thought she was better than him. She thought he’d held her back and not the other way around? He’d show her how worthless she truly was.  
    “I’m going to make you regret that,” he said, raising a fist, and she gave a low groan of fear. Her eyes rolled in her head and it gave him an ounce of gratification. At least she knew what she was up against.  
    “Bri, please relax,” she whispered, “I didn’t mean it like that. Please.”  
    “Then how did you mean it?” He circled the desk and closed in on her, she was the prey and he was the hunter.