Page 140 of No Fear

Charlie took a deep breath, determined to remain calm. As she looked at Simon now, it was hard to believe she once cared for this man. Or thought she loved him.

“Donnie is more of a man than you will ever be. A real man does not cheat on his woman—”

“I have never—” Simon interrupted, but Donnie stepped forward.

“Let her finish.”

Simon stopped talking.

“As I was saying, a real man does not cheat on his woman. A real man doesn’t criticize her, belittle her, try to control her. A real man doesn’t use drugs and attend sex parties behind his fiancée’s back. Nor does he arrange a sham marriage, so he can get control of his father’s company.”

When Simon’s face paled even more, her confidence grew. It felt good to get this out. To put this man in his place.

“Yes, Simon. I know about everything. And as of yesterday, so does your father.”

She and Donnie had gone to see Radwell Senior at his office. It was clear in everything Donnie had uncovered that he knew nothing about the sham marriage. Radwell Senior had been shocked when they explained everything and provided him with an envelope full of pictures and emails as proof. Charlie explained, she did not want Simon tricking some other poor woman like he had her. Radwell Senior assured them he would handle his son. There would be no business handover, and he would cut off his income, and force him into rehab. Whatever it took. Donnie had said he thought Simon was getting off lightly, but Charlie knew being shut out of the business would destroy him. Life as he knew it was over. That was the worst punishment for a man like Simon.

“What are you talking about? My father? What have you done?”

Simon’s cellphone rang.

While Charlie had been talking to Simon, Donnie had texted Radwell Senior. They had asked him not to call his son until she and Donnie had spoken to him. Senior had agreed. The poor man had looked embarrassed and ashamed of his son’s behavior, and Charlie had felt sorry for him.

Simon answered the call. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but she didn’t need to.

“Father, I can explain. She’s making it up—” Simon stopped talking and Charlie could see the anger building on his face. Daddy must have ended the call because he lowered the phone.

“You fucking bitch. You’re going to pay for this. I swear, I will ruin you.” His voice dripped with contempt and hatred. Charlie swallowed, fear creeping in.

When Donnie stepped forward this time, he didn’t stop until he had Simon up against the wall with a hand around his throat.

“Let’s get something clear. I would kill you right fucking now and not lose any sleep over it. Whatever the consequences. Listen to me when I say if you so much as think about Charlie after today, I will know. You come anywhere near her, or try to hurt her, and all that evidence that your daddy has? I won’t hesitate to send it to the tabloids, to the news stations, to every fucking gossip column in New York. It won’t be just the business you lose. You won’t be able to set foot in this city. No one will work with you. No one will want to be associated with you.”

The anger turned to fear on Simon’s face. Her stomach did a little flutter. Damn, she was turned on by the way Donnie was being all protector-ish. She was really starting to like it.

“Do we have an agreement?” Donnie said, not letting him go.

Simon tried to nod, but he could barely move. “Yes,” he hissed.

Donnie let him go, turned, took Charlie’s hand, grabbed the suitcase, and walked her to the door. She placed her key on the side table, together with the engagement ring. She took one last look back. Simon was sitting on the floor, his head in his hands.

Epilogue

Donnie stood with Dex and Sam on the back deck at Dex’s place. They had been talking baseball, but his eyes kept straying to the beautiful woman sitting in an Adirondack chair talking to Kelly.

“Oh, man, you got it bad,” Dex said.

Donnie grinned. “Yep.” He was not ashamed to admit it.

Dex and Sam laughed.

“Jesus, you boys are dropping like flies,” Sam said. “I’m happy for you. She’s a brave, smart lady. Hopefully, we won’t have to rescue her again.”

“We won’t. She’s still pretty shook up and has decided to stay here. Her boss is working on finding her an in-office position here or on the mainland. Ambassador Clarkson had a foundation, raising money for aid in the worst hit countries. She spoke to them last week and wants to get involved in that too. They plan to keep the foundation going in Ambassador Clarkson’s honor.”

“That’s great. You must be a little relieved,” Dex said.

“Yeah, I am. I mean I would never have stopped her if she wanted to continue traveling, but it would have been hell on me.” The very thought of her going anywhere where there was danger made his gut ache, and he couldn’t be happier with her decision.