Jack (The Family Simon 2)

“You tell me.”

“Not in the mood for a big ol’ deep discussion tonight, thanks.”

She shrugged, trying to make light of things, but her smile faded when she saw the look in Cooper’s eyes. No longer were they light or playful. There wasn’t a shred of anything that looked remotely friendly. Nope. This Simon was all business and just like before, all those years ago, this Simon’s disgust was palpable.

“Jack seems to think that you and I are together or at the very least fucking each other.”

Donovan winced at his crude choice of words, though she was careful to keep her face neutral. She couldn’t have Cooper Simon thinking that she actually cared what he thought. That just wouldn’t do.

“And?” she asked lightly. She moved forward a few inches until she was real close to Cooper. “That’s what’s got your boxers all tied up in knots? Last I heard, you were as selfish and self-centered as ever. Last I remember, you screwed your own brother’s girlfriend.” She allowed herself to smile. “More than one of them, if the rumors are true. I’m surprised Maverick still talks to you.”

He laughed, though it didn’t come close to reaching his eyes. “Last I remember, you screwed Jack’s best friend.”

Donovan’s blood went cold, and she felt the tick, the one near her mouth, begin to throb. Oh God, she was going to lose it. There was a roaring in her ears and for a second, the world sort of tilted to the side.

Images flashed in her mind, and she felt bile rise up. No one knew about that night, not even Maverick.

No one knew.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she managed to get out.

Cooper bent real close so that his mouth was near her face. She was sure he could hear her heart nearly beating out of her chest. “I know all about it. Your night with Derek. Son-of-a-bitch showed me some pictures. I hear there’s video too but I couldn’t stomach watching it.”

“I…I…how…” She gulped in some air and glanced away, cheeks burning, flushed with mortification and pain and a whole bunch of other stuff she couldn’t name if she wanted to.

“Does it really matter?” Cooper asked.

“No,” she whispered, more to herself. No one was ever supposed to see any of it. She heard something break and was vaguely aware that the tumbler of whiskey had slipped from her hand.

“I’m going to m

ake this real plain and simple for you so that you completely understand where I’m coming from. Jack is like a brother to me, and if you think that any of us are going to let you get your claws into him again, you’re delusional. That’s never going to happen. He’s got a good thing going. He’s running for a congressional senate seat and he’s got this one locked up. Jack’s our golden boy, and you’re no good for him, Donovan. You never were.”

She blinked rapidly and exhaled, because there was no way in hell she would cry in front of Cooper Simon.

The thing of it was…she knew that Cooper spoke the truth. As much as that was a bitter pill to swallow, she’d always known. How else had she ended up in that mess five years ago? A mess that cost her the only man she’d ever loved.

“If I so much as catch a whiff of you and him…of the idea of you and him getting back together, I’ll show him the tape and then I’ll release it to the press.”

“You wouldn’t.” Horrified, her eyes flew to Cooper’s. “It was destroyed,” she said hoarsely. “He said he would…Derek told me that as long as I stayed away he’d destroy it.”

Cooper shook his head and stepped back from her. “The guy might be a brilliant political mind, but he’s an asshole. I’m sure he watched it over and over just to get his rocks off. I wish Jack could see through his bullshit. Not that it matters anymore, since I’ve got the thumb drive.”

Words couldn’t describe what she was feeling just then. In fact there were none.

She wanted to die, knowing that Cooper had seen her and Derek…that he’d seen her naked and vulnerable and doing things that no one else should ever see. If Jack ever saw it…

“You can’t show it to him,” she said finally. She had nothing else. What was there to say?

“Trust me darlin’, the last thing that I want is for Jack to see that. I’ve just drawn a line and if you cross it, I’ll make sure he sees every goddamn minute. Got it?”

“How could you...that could destroy his bid for senator. The press would have a field day.”

“Maybe. But on the upside, he’d bounce back. He’s a Simon. And as a bonus, he’d finally see what a slimy bastard Derek is. That guy has always wanted what belonged to Jack, and you made it so goddamn easy.”

Donovan’s throat was tight, and those damn tears poked at the corner of her eyes. Easy? He had no idea.

Cooper paused, his voice low. “Either way it would keep Jack away from you, and in the long run that’s what’s best for him, don’t you think?”