“Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed to let my friends in your penthouse. I’d have definitely asked for your permission if you were available on the phone.” I faked a sweet smile.

I thought it was our home…

I blinked away the burn in my eyes. Was he even aware how he was hurting me getting lost in his anger and jealousy?

His fists clenched. “Emerald, don’t test my patience. You know very well what I’m talking about.”

Emerald again?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Warner came here to talk to me, and we had a little chat. Then he left. I don’t know what we did for you to think I was cheating on you.”

Striding closer, he pulled me close by my arms. “I said I didn’t mean that! Don’t twist my words!”

I wiggled out of his grip. “I’m not twisting your words! I’m just stating what you said. You were clearly implying I was cheating on you! I can’t believe you think I could ever do that to you. How could you?”

“I know you can’t ever do that, damn it! The one I don’t trust is that man!” He cupped my cheeks, holding my gaze with his furious ones. “Can’t you see what he’s trying to do? Can’t you see what he wants? He wants to take you away from me. And you’re letting him!”

“Just like you took away his career from him? Just like you sent him to Seattle because you wanted him away from me?”

A muscle of his jaw ticked, but he stayed silent. His unapologetic, flaming gaze drove my temper haywire.

I shook my head. “I can’t believe this. How can you ruin someone’s career like that? He’s just a friend to me, he always was. How many times do I have to tell you? I ignored everything you did in these past months. You buying Cooper’s company so you could bring me back to California, putting guards after me, threatening off any men who came near me and making me an equal owner of everything you own.” I counted the only incidents I could remember at that moment. “I let everything go, thinking you’ll come around eventually. But I won’t tolerate this! I won’t let you do this to Warner!”

His nostrils flared. “Why?”

I frowned.

“Why is he so important to you? Why, even after I’m telling you he wants to steal you from me, you’re still fighting for him!” He roared, cupping my jaw. But no matter how furious he was, his grip was gentle. “Why do you still care for him that much now that he isn’t your boyfriend anymore?”

I gritted my teeth. Didn’t he hear what I was saying again and again?