Rush

takeout bags.
    She came to a screeching halt when she saw Lisa, and her eyes widened.
    “Oops. Sorry,” she said awkwardly.
    She hastily backed from his office and disappeared, bags in hand. He had to bite his
     lip to keep himself from commanding her back. Damn it, he wanted Lisa gone, not Mia.
    When his gaze returned to Lisa’s, her eyes were narrowed and recognition flashed.
    “It’s her isn’t it?” Lisa said softly.
    There was accusation in her stare. She rose to her feet, fists clenched at her sides.
    “It’s always been her. I saw the way you looked at her even when we were married.
     I played it off. She’s Jace’s little sister and so I thought you viewed her with a
     measure of affection afforded someone her age. But God, you wanted her even then,
     didn’t you, you bastard? Are you in
love
with her?”
    Gabe stood, his anger sharp and explosive. “That’s enough, Lisa. You will not say
     another word. Mia works for me. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
    Lisa made a sound of derision. “I never had a chance, did I, Gabe? Even if I hadn’t
     been the one to walk out.”
    “That’s where you’re wrong,” he said in a clipped tone. “I was faithful to you, Lisa.
     I would have always been faithful. I was committed to our marriage. It’s too bad you
     weren’t.”
    “Don’t keep fooling yourself, Gabe. I saw the way you looked at her then and how you
     looked at her just now. I wonder if she has any idea what she’s getting into. Perhaps
     I should warn her.”
    Gabe came around the desk, no longer able to control the anger biting at him.
    “If you ever so much as breathe in Mia’s direction, I’ll ruin you, Lisa. All the money
     you still receive from me? Gone. And I won’t hesitate or feel one moment’s remorse
     over it. You’re a cold, calculating bitch. Mia’s worth ten of you. And if you don’t
     think I’m enough of a threat, let Jace find out your intentions toward Mia. I guarantee
     he won’t be as nice or as patient as I’ve been.”
    Lisa’s eyes became calculating. “How much is it worth, me not going to your little
     assistant?”
    And now she got to the real point of this bullshit reconciliationattempt. He was livid, but he managed to hold on to his temper. Barely.
    “Blackmail won’t work with me, Lisa. You of all people should know that. I know why
     you’ve come sniffing back around. You’re broke and barely making ends meet on your
     alimony payments, which by the way, you should know I’ve contacted my lawyer. I’m
     going to court to have them reduced. I was more than generous in our divorce. Maybe
     it’s time you got off your ass and worked, or find some other sucker to support you
     because I’m done.”
    She turned away, clutching her handbag like a lifeline. “You’ll regret this, Gabe.”
    He remained silent, refusing to rise to her bait. It was done as far as he was concerned.
    When she paused at the door, he said, “You won’t be allowed in here again, Lisa. So
     don’t try it. You’ll only cause a scene and humiliate yourself. I’m going to alert
     security that you are never to be allowed back, and I’ll tell Eleanor to alert them
     if she sees you anywhere near my offices.” His voice dropped to a dangerous level.
     “And so help me God, if you go anywhere near Mia, I’ll make you very sorry. Understand
     me?”
    Lisa shot him a look filled with so much venom and hatred that he knew everything
     he’d suspected was absolute truth. She was broke and looking to get back on the money
     train.
    “How the mighty Gabe has fallen,” she said softly. “In love with his best friend’s
     little sister. Wonder if she’ll break
your
heart.”
    With that, she flounced out of his office, her hair bouncing off her shoulders. He
     hoped to hell it was the last time he saw the back of her.
    He was about to go in search of Mia when she popped her head back through the door.
     He motioned her in and she carried the bags over to his desk.
    She was silent as she took out the box containing his sandwich. She set up everything
     for him and then retreated to her own desk with her meal.
    He watched her as she ate and read through several of the reports he’d given her to
     memorize for their trip. His own appetite had diminished. Lisa’s accusations swirled
     in his mind, and he couldn’t put them out of his head. He didn’t like what she’d implied,
     but he couldn’t immediately discount her observations. And that pissed him off