Instead, she asked me to give her something I had already promised.

Pissed me the fuck off.

Now she was probably here to ask for something else—like her sister’s freedom.

Never.

Gilbert returned to the study. “Sir…she refuses to leave.”

“Then she can sleep out there. I don’t give a shit.”

He nodded then stepped out again.

But he was right back inside a moment later. “She’s climbing the gate. What are your orders?”

“She’s what?” I slammed down the empty glass, knowing she was going to slip, fall, and break something. It was dark, and that gate was fucking high. And she had no athleticism or coordination.

He listened to the radio in his ear. “She’s climbing, sir.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.” I pushed to my feet. “Tell her to get down. Have them open the gate.” I marched out of the study, through the foyer, and out the front door to the roundabout that circled the fountain. In nothing but my sweatpants, I watched the golf cart come around, drop her off, and then depart.

She stood in front of me. Unafraid.

She should be afraid. Now, she was in ordinary jeans and a cheap blouse, her makeup unremarkable. Her hair wasn’t as shiny. She was thinner than she used to be. But she was just as gorgeous as I remembered—and that made me angrier. “What the fuck do you want, Melanie? I owe you nothing, and I will give you nothing. If you came here to get me to release your sister, you’ve wasted your time and mine.”

Her hands came together at her waist, her mannerisms exactly the same. With bright eyes, she looked into my gaze, giving me a look she’d never given me before. “I want to come home…” Her eyes watered as she let those words float off her tongue on a whisper.

My eyes narrowed instinctively. It was the confession I’d wanted to hear—just at the wrong time. Months had passed, and I hadn’t heard from her. The one time I did, she wanted something from me. She was an accomplice to her sister, destroying everything I’d built entirely on my own.

When I said nothing, she winced with rejection. “I’m sorry that I hurt you—”

“I’m not going to release your sister.” She only wanted me for one thing. Women used me for my money and my dick, but she bled me dry for her obnoxious sister. I wouldn’t bleed another drop. “Not now. Not ever. Go home.”

“That’s not what I’m asking you—”

“I’m not stupid, Melanie. You insult me.”

She instinctively shifted back at my vile words. “I left with her because I had to. If I’d stayed, I never would have seen her again. She wouldn’t have forgiven me if I’d chosen to be with you. I didn’t have a choice—”