“You wanted me to go with them, didn’t you?” she said.

“It doesn’t matter. Brianna’s nineteen, and she’s got a mind of her own. She’ll do what she wants to.”

Burke kept the rest of his concerns to himself. He wondered if Brianna was attracted to Garrett. The man was handsome, witty, and newly single. And the ten-year difference in their ages was less than the age gap between himself and Allison. But Garrett was capable of playing games with the girl’s romantic heart, or, worse, gaining her trust and using it to further his own ambitions.

Until this current financial crisis raised its ugly head, he would have trusted Garrett with his life. Now he no longer trusted the man with anything, especially with his strong-willed daughter.

He’d spoiled Brianna after her mother’s death, giving her everything she wanted in an effort to make up for Kate’s absence. Now she was an adult, and it was payback time. Whatever the issue, come hell or high water, Brianna was used to getting her own way. He could only hope she’d have the common sense to make the right choices.

Damn, he hated being trapped in a hospital bed when he needed to stand up and take charge. He had never felt more helpless in his life.

“Have they told you how much longer you need to be here?” Allison seemed to read his thoughts.

“A couple of days. Then I’ll go to the rehab wing for some short-term therapy. After that I’ll be going home. But I’ve arranged for help to come in, so you won’t have to worry about taking care of me.”

“You know I’d gladly do it—take care of you, I mean.”

“I know. But it would kill me to see you tied down to nursing a broken man.”

“I’m your wife.”

“That can be changed. I’m still hoping you’ll make the sensible decision. I wanted to give you the world. I can’t do that anymore.”

She shook her head. Her face was a stoic mask. Only her lovely violet eyes showed pain. “What about Brianna? You can’t divorce her.”

“She might have to grow up fast.”

“Well, I’ve already grown up,” she said. “And I need to know what’s going on with you and Garrett and the real reason you won’t sign that contract with the investors. Saying you don’t like them isn’t enough. Stop treating me like a child, Burke. I need to hear the truth—the whole story.”

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6