Rafael raised his head, his chest so heavy that it was a physical ache. “I can’t let her go. I have no idea how I’m going to make her understand, but I can’t let her go. No matter what I did then, no matter how big of a bastard I was then, that’s not who I am now. I love her. I want another chance. God, if she’ll just give me another chance, I’ll never give her reason to doubt me again.”

“You’re convincing the wrong person,” Devon said. “I’m on your side, man. Even if you are the biggest jackass in North America. And hey, whatever happens with this resort deal, I’m behind you one-hundred percent, okay? We’ll figure something out. Now go get your girl.”

CHAPTER 21

Bryony walked off the elevator in shock. Her limbs were numb. Her hands were like ice. She was on autopilot, her mind barely functioning.

Rafael’s harsh words played over and over in her mind.

I used her.

I seduced her.

She flinched and wobbled toward the door, where the doorman stepped in front of her and put a hand on her arm. “Miss Morgan, if you would wait here, please.”

She looked up at the man in confusion. “Why?”

“Just wait, please.”

She shook her head and started to walk out the door only to have him take her arm and steer her back into the lobby again.

Anger was slowly replacing her numb shock. She yanked her arm away from the older man and retreated. “Don’t touch me.” She backed right into another person; she turned to excuse herself but found herself looking up at the mountain who worked as Rafael’s head of security.

“Miss Morgan, I had no idea you were in the city.” He frowned. “You should have let Mr. de Luca know so I could have met you at the airport. Did you come with no escort?”

The doorman looked relieved that Ramon was there and he hastily resumed his position by the door, leaving her to stand by the security man.

“I’m not staying,” she said tightly. “In fact, I’m on my way back to the airport now.”

Ramon looked puzzled, and then Ryan Beardsley was there, inserting himself between her and Ramon.

“That will be all, Ramon. I’ll take Miss Morgan where she needs to go.”

“The hell you will,” Bryony muttered. She turned and stalked toward the door.

Ryan caught up to her as soon as she stepped outside. He took her arm, but his hold was gentle. So was the look on his face. The sympathy burning in his eyes made her want to cry.

“Let me give you a ride,” he offered gently. “It’s cold and you really shouldn’t take a cab if you have no idea where you’re going. You probably don’t even have a hotel, am I right?”