Kathie DeNosky - Fortunes' Women - Mistress of Fortune

“I thought you were still at work,” Creed said, his expression guarded.

“After our conversation, I didn’t feel like staying at the office.” She swiped at the tears running down her cheeks. “But don’t trouble yourself with firing me for leaving work early.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Creed said, frowning. “Why would you think that I would?”

“It doesn’t matter whether you were or not because effective immediately, I’m no longer an employee of Dakota Fortune.” When he opened his mouth as if he intended to refuse her resignation, she held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I thought you were my friend, Creed.”

“I am,” he insisted.

She shook her head. “A true friend wouldn’t have talked to me the way you did earlier today.”

“What did you say to her?” Blake demanded, his fists doubled at his sides.

“It doesn’t matter,” Sasha answered, staring at Creed. She feared she wouldn’t be able to continue if she looked at Blake. And it was extremely important that she let them both know exactly what their feuding had cost them.

“I’m here defending you now,” Creed said stubbornly. “If that’s not friendship, I don’t know what is.”

“You weren’t defending me as much as you were letting Blake know what easy prey you thought I was.” She could tell that her statement shocked him, but it was past time they both heard just how destructive their warring had become and the high price they’d both have to pay for it. “In light of everything that’s happened today, I think you’ll have to agree that our friendship has come to an end, Creed.”

“It’s just as well, sweetheart,” Blake interjected. “The son of a bitch wouldn’t know how to be a friend if his life depended on it.”

Sasha finally looked at him and she felt as if her heart broke all over again. “What you did to me is far worse than anything Creed could have ever done.” Her voice caught on a sob. “Only the ones you love the most have the power to devastate you.”

“Sasha, listen to me,” Blake said, reaching for her.

“Don’t touch me.” She brushed his hand away. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

“Sasha, sweetheart, you don’t mean that.”

“Yes, I do.” She took a deep breath as she forced herself to push the all-consuming emotional pain aside and dig deep within her soul to muster the last scrap of her tattered pride. “How could you have such little regard for my feelings? Did you even think of what it would do to me when I discovered that you were using me to get back at Creed?”

“If you’ll let me explain—”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses, Blake.” She shook her head. “You win?” she quoted him. “I think that more than sums up the reasons behind your sudden interest in me, don’t you?” Sasha held out her hand to Blake. “I’d like my apartment key back, please.”

He reluctantly placed it in her hand. “It doesn’t have to end this way, Sasha.”

“Too late, Blake. It’s already over.” She glanced from one man to the other through her gathering tears. “I want nothing more to do with either of you.” Knowing she was seconds away from losing the last of her control, she added, “Now, feel free to resume your shouting match. But I would appreciate you taking it elsewhere. I have no desire to listen to anything more that either of you have to say.”

Her heart breaking, Sasha entered her apartment and closed the door behind her. Shaking uncontrollably, she leaned back against it, then covering her face with her hands, sank to the floor as she released the torrent of tears she’d been holding at bay. How could she have been so stupid? Why hadn’t she been able to see past Blake’s handsome face and charming smile to the coldhearted man inside?

She should have known there was more behind his excuse than just wanting to get to know her better. He’d had ample opportunity in the four years she’d worked at Dakota Fortune to strike up an acquaintance with her. But he hadn’t bothered to look her way. At least, not until Creed had asked her to help him keep the fortune-hunting women in search of a great catch at arm’s length by accompanying him to various events.

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