The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella's voice was calm, steady as still water.

"If Shawn is so important to you both," she said quietly, "why not just knock me out and toss me into his bed? That way, you can make amends and grant Shawn his wish all at once. Wouldn't that be easier?"

A cold, derisive laugh slipped from Israel. "So, Stella, have you finally taken a liking to Shawn? Can't wait to climb into his bed, is that it—"

Before he could finish, Jonathan cut him off, his tone sharp as steel. "That's enough, Israel."

At the same moment, a mug sailed through the air and struck Israel squarely on the head.

Smash. The mug hit the floor and shattered, shards skittering across the hardwood.

Israel staggered, seeing stars, and it took him a while to collect himself.

Joshua's voice rang out cool and clear from across the room. "She's your sister, not someone you can insult whenever you feel like it. You haven't even bothered to ask what happened, but you're so quick to pass judgment. It's a pretty ugly look, don't you think? If you can't muster a little respect, I'd be glad to teach you some manners myself."

Israel opened his mouth to argue, but Jonathan silenced him with a look.

a note of uncertainty

spoke, a suspicion had already begun to take root in his mind. He'd heard rumors about Shawn's wandering hands. Paired with what Stella had hinted at earlier, he could piece together most of the

"While I was signing the contract with Shawn, he couldn't keep his hands to

raised an eyebrow. "Or did you both expect me to just let him

he wanted to say

when your old business partner made

you punched him in the face

years of

and told

that

family, His company went The man jumped from his office window

to s

to Israel, giving him a chilly little

expression dark and uncertain. He wanted to

managed, "You and