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He’d been fucking livid when he’d discovered the underhanded schehborhood that was now Maddux’s turf When he’d learned that Luca and Sofia had been on the verge of bankruptcy and being destitute as a result of being bilked for every bit of theirto Theodore and Gavinstep foot anywhere near his properties again and Maddux would break every fucking bone in their bodies and bury theots would ever find them

It had been his first power play toward the two pricks who’d destroyed Maddux’s fah it had taken him six more years to be in the position to finally take Theodore co with the other businesses in the neighborhood, had been grateful for Maddux’s protection, which hadn’t cost the

Arabella atching hi for some kind of answer frolass, suddenly needing soh this emotional minefield with Arabella, and hiht to tell her the truth about her father’s corrupt ways, which would effectively put aheld him back

Fuckhe just couldn’t bring himself to devastate her so callously It was Theodore who’d destroyed so many lives, and Arabella, as cos, shouldn’t have to pay the price for his offenses Yet Maddux are that she’d discover the truth about everything eventuallyjust not tonight

After another long sine that nearly depleted the alcohol in his glass, he aze “I helped Luca and Sofia when they were in a tough financial situation”

It wasn’t a lie Even after Theodore had received Maddux’smoney from the small businesses in the area, it had taken all those owners a long time to recover from the monetary strain Theodore had put upon them for years And in an effort to save those businesses, Maddux had offered as much financial assistance as he could to keep those stores open and afloatwithout asking for any compensation in return

Arabella set her fork down on her e at him with respect and an awe he didn’t want or deserve “Seeuy, Maddux Wilder”

She stood and picked up both of their plates “And now, tiramisu for dessert,” she announced “I’ll be back in a few minutes”

He watched her head back into the kitchen and could hear her washing their dirty dishes and putting any leftovers away And even though he knew she was going to return with dessert, he realized that he couldn’t, and shouldn’t, just sit here and enjoy her coht in with Arabella It wasn’t his life, and it wasn’t going to last

Yet despite every denial he wanted to cling to, he couldn’t ignore the truththat he was already getting attached to this sweet, affectionate woman who saw beneath his terse façade and called hi to care, and that was a very dangerous thing in a situation where letting his e he’d planned for the past fourteen long years

Refusing to think about how disappointed Arabella was going to be, he stood up and quietlysure she didn’t see hi roo hiether This as easier Simpler She’d walk out to the veranda in a few one, and accept it as his normal MO

He was becoular Houdini as far as she was concerned

Chapter 16

Arabella had been eager to sample Sofia’s tiramisu, and had been even more excited to spend extra time with Maddux, instead of alone But the joke was on her, because as soon as she stepped out on the terrace and found hione, she knew exactly where he’d disappeared to, and that she wouldn’t see hi

Not wanting to eat dessert alone, she exhaled a defeated sigh and took the two plates back to the kitchen After placing both slices of tiraerator She didn’t soMaddux off the same way he’d just shut her out Yes, he could see her and watch her, but she wasn’t going to give hi him in any way As stupid as she kneas—because Maddux had never claiether, his dismissive attitude hurt