Read Online Land's End by Marta Perry - Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t Jonathan. It was Trent.
    For an instant all she could do was stare at him. Then fury swamped her, sweeping away the sick hopeless feeling and replacing it with bright, bracing anger. She lifted her head and glared at him.
    Before she could stop herself, she blurted, “What is it, Trent? Weren’t you content with destroying everything I brought to the island? Did you have to come and survey the results of your handiwork? Did you need to see for yourself?”

FIVE
    T rent could only stare at Sarah. She might as well be speaking a foreign language for all the sense her statement made. He lifted an eyebrow.
    â€œI suppose you know what you’re talking about. I certainly don’t.”
    He’d come here prepared to offer an inducement for her to leave—he’d answer her questions, and he’d make the police turn over all the reports. He hadn’t come so she could accuse him of whatever it was that had her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright with anger.
    Sarah planted her fists on her hips, looking as if she’d rather use them on him. “Your innocence is a bit overdone. If you think this will make me leave, you’re sadly mistaken.”
    He’d seen the flash of anger in her eyes before, when they’d argued about the clinic, but she’d never been quite so outspoken. Because he’d been her husband’s employer then, he supposed. Now she probably felt she had nothing to lose.
    She hadn’t invited him in, but he stepped over the threshold anyway. Her anger was affecting him, and he couldn’t have that. He needed a level head when he dealt with her.
    â€œI repeat—I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybeyou’d explain first, so I know what it is I’m supposed to have done.”
    For a moment longer she glared at him. Then she whirled and headed toward the bedroom door. “This way.”
    He followed, close on her heels. Reached the door, stopped, looked. And felt a wave of revulsion strong enough to rock him back on his heels.
    â€œSarah, I’m sorry. When did this happen?”
    She didn’t answer. She just looked at him.
    â€œOh, right, I forgot. I’m supposed to have done this, so naturally I’d know when it happened.” The anger he felt that she thought him capable of this was probably irrational. “You can’t seriously believe I’d do this.”
    â€œYou’d have me kicked out of my hotel at a ridiculous hour of night, leaving me homeless, you’d have my tires slashed, but destroying my belongings is a line you wouldn’t cross. Hmm, why don’t I buy that?”
    She might have a point, but—“What are you talking about? When were your tires slashed?”
    For a moment he thought she wouldn’t answer. The gaze from those green eyes was hot enough to scald.
    â€œTonight,” she said shortly. “An hour or so ago, while my car was parked outside Haller’s Tavern.”
    â€œWhat were you doing there?” He seized on the one piece of information he understood. “That’s a rough crowd.”
    â€œI can take care of myself.”
    â€œApparently not, if someone slashed your tires.” The image that evoked was too vivid. A startlingly strong wave of protectiveness swept through him.
    Ridiculous. He couldn’t afford to feel protective toward Sarah, of all people. And she certainly wouldn’t welcome it from him.
    â€œI didn’t need to worry about the rough crowd, did I? The trouble came from another source.”
    It was a good thing she managed to irritate him with every other word. It counteracted that absurd sense that he ought to take care of her.
    â€œI did not slash your tires.”
    â€œYou were seen.”
    â€œWhat?” That punch came out of nowhere.
    â€œYour car, anyway. The big, expensive gray Rolls. So either you did it. Or he did.” She jerked a nod, glancing past him toward the