Some men would give in without much of a fight, even if they could disprove the story. They’d do whatever it took just to avoid publicity.
Damian’s jaw tightened.
Oh, yes. That was how this was supposed to go down…Except, it wouldn’t. His beautiful scam artist was about to learn she couldn’t draw him into that kind of trap.
He’d already been the victim of one Madison sister. He’d be damned if he’d be the victim of the second sister, too.
Damian looked up. The woman had not moved. She stood her ground, shoulders squared, head up, eyes glittering with defiance.
God, she was magnificent! Anyone walking in and seeing her would be sure she was a brave Amazon, overmatched but prepared to fight to her last breath.
Too bad there wasn’t an audience. There was only him, and he wasn’t buying the act.
Damian smiled. Slowly he brought his hands together in mocking applause.
“Excellent,” he said softly. “An outstanding performance.” His smile disappeared. “Just one problem, kardia mou. I’m on to you.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I know your game. And I’m not going to play it.”
“Game? Is that what you think this is? I come to you after my sister’s death because you didn’t have enough concern to come to me and you think—you think it’s a game?”
“Perhaps I used the wrong word. It’s more like a melodrama. You’re the innocent little flower, I’m the cruel villain.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Damian started slowly toward her. He saw her stiffen. She wanted to back away or maybe even turn and run. Good, he thought coldly. She was afraid of him, and she damned well ought to be.
“Don’t you want to tell me the rest? The details of our passionate encounter?”
She looked at him as if he were crazy. “What passionate encounter?”
“Come now, darling. Have you forgotten your lines? You’re supposed to remind me of what we did when I was drunk.” He stopped inches from her, a chill smile curling across his lips. “Well, I’m waiting. Where did it happen? Here? Athens? A party on my yacht at the Côte d’Azur? Not that it matters. The story’s the same no matter where we met.”
“I didn’t say—”
“No. You didn’t, and that’s my fault. I never gave you the chance to tell your heartbreaking little tale, but why waste time when it’s so trite? I was drunk. I seduced you. Now, it’s—it’s—How many months later, did you say?”
“Three months. You know that, just as you know the rest of what you said isn’t true!”
“Did I get the facts wrong?” His eyes narrowed; his voice turned hard. “Frankly I don’t give a damn. All I care about is seeing the last of you, lady. You understand?”
Ivy understood, all right.
This man her sister had worshipped, this—this Adonis whose face and body were enough to quicken the beat of a woman’s heart…
This man Kay had been willing to do anything for, was looking at her and lying through his teeth.
How could Kay have loved him?
“Shall I be more direct, Miss Madison?” Damian clamped his hands on her shoulders. “Get out of here before I lose my temper.”
His voice was low, his grasp painful. He was furious and, Ivy was sure, capable of violence.
That wasn’t half as important as being certain she understood exactly what he was telling her.
He didn’t want the child she was carrying.