Not ruin Duncan Greene and his family home? Clay couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t see this through. “Absolutely not. And my issue is with her father, not her grandmother.”

“I can’t imagine that distinction will matter to her.”

“Nothing changes. She doesn’t get a say in how I run my affairs, no matter what happens between us.” Anna made a noise in her throat, one that had Clay narrowing his eyes. “You don’t believe me.”

“I have known you a long time, so I’m going to give you a piece of advice.” She put a hand on Clay’s arm. “Do not start anything with her if you are still intending to ruin her family. It’s cruel, Clay. And while you are many things, you are not intentionally cruel to the innocent.”

“Duncan Greene is not innocent.”

“He is not his daughter, however.”

“One has nothing to do with the other—and I’m not planning on courting Florence Greene. Stop worrying about her.”

“Women must worry about other women,” she snapped. “God knows men won’t do it.”

His skin heated with irritation. “I will do whatever the fuck I want with Florence Greene and my plans for her father haven’t changed.”

She dropped a piece of glass on the bar then dusted her hands off. “I see. Indeed, excuse me for caring. You know, if you push people away then one day your revenge will be all you have left.”

An apology tried to force its way out of his throat but he swallowed it down. He’d already explained his need for revenge to Florence and it hadn’t stopped her from coming here. Clearly, she wasn’t concerned over her father’s future. “Noted,” was all he said.

Anna’s face fell, anger seemingly draining right out of her. “I don’t wish to fight with you. I only want to see you happy.”

“I will be once I have my revenge on Duncan Greene. And I don’t wish to fight, either. Other than Jack, you’re my oldest friend.”

“Hell, we’re your only friends.”

“True.”

“Which is why we have noticed the differences in you since Miss Greene began visiting here. Jack told me he caught you whistling the other day as you were doing the books. Whistling!”

That was what he got for leaving his office door open after hours. “You’re being ridiculous. And don’t listen to Jack.”

Anna shook her head as she came toward him. “I have to go. I’ll just leave you with one piece of advice.”

“No, thank you.”

“Too bad. You’re getting it anyway. Seduce the lovely Miss Greene, but be careful with her. She’s young and fairly sheltered, for all her bravado. Just be honest about your intentions.”

He had been. On several occasions. “Is that all?”