Rebellion (A Dangerous Man, #2) by Serena Grey Read Free Book Online

mean nothing to him.
    “I hope you’re glad.” I hear him say to his mother as I
step out of the room. His voice is like gravel.
    I pause, “I’m sorry,” I hear her say apologetically. “I had
no idea.”
    “Well now you do.”
    There is a short pause, and then I hear her voice again. “An
NDA seems rather extreme... Does this have anything to do with Carole Banks?”
    I don’t hear what he says to her, but I hear her footsteps
as she leaves. Carole Banks, I remember I’ve heard that name before, that first
night in his study. Who is she, and what does she have to do with anything?  

Chapter Five
    M Y TABLET IS STILL IN DAVID’S STUDY, so that’s where I go, hoping
that he won’t follow me. I hate that I have to find things out about my husband
from the internet.
    I start up the tablet again as I settle on the leather sofa,
and search for Carole Banks. I sift through all the many profiles until I find
one that seems likely. She’s a heiress, with a social life that spans New York,
Palm Beach and Europe. Born in Seattle, her father was Marshall Banks, a name
that’s only vaguely familiar until I remember the name of the investor who
helped to make David’s first fortune by investing in a video game company David
started with a couple of his friends while they were still in college.
    I search for her name coupled with David’s and the articles
that come up fill me with dismay. I click on images, and what I see is the
story of a long relationship that seems to span several countries and numerous
events. There are pictures of them together at gallery openings, benefits,
nightclubs, vacations, and even at her father’s funeral where she leans on him
while he holds her hand.
    It wouldn’t be so painful if they didn’t look so good
together, he tall handsome and intense, she with her wavy red hair, deep green
eyes and languid smile. A hot stab of jealousy passes through me, coupled with
sadness. How could I have thought any of this was real? I can’t imagine how
even for a moment, he’ll prefer me to her.
    In all the articles, there’s a strong indication that the
writers consider them a couple. The latest, which has them together at a book
launch, is only a few weeks before I met David in Ashford.
    The door opens and David steps into the room, looking
worried. His expression changes to relief when he sees me sitting there. 
    “I’ve been looking for you.”
    I shrug, turning back to the tablet, I’m angry, jealous and
in love. It’s not a very good combination.
    He comes closer to me and his eyes take in the search pages
I have open on screen of the tablet. “Nothing you find there has anything to do
with me and you.” He says.
    I can feel my heart breaking as I look at him. Is there a
‘him’ and ‘me’? Right now, I’m not so sure. I want to ask him once and for all,
how he actually feels about me, but I’m afraid I won’t like the answer. I turn
back to the pictures on my tablet and stare at them for a long moment.
    “Tell me about her.” I ask.
    “There’s nothing to tell.”
    “Really?” I glare at him, “because it’s very clear here that
she was your girlfriend only a short time ago.
    He shrugs, “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers
Sophie. We saw each other on and off for a while, but it’s been over for a long
time.”
    “Do you love her?” I ask, unable to keep the jealousy I feel
from creeping into my voice. “Is that why you’re keeping me hidden, so that she
won’t find out about me?”
    He sighs and walks over to me, coming to sit beside me. I
try not to be distracted by how beautiful he is, by the intensity in his eyes.
I have to try very hard to breathe. “You don’t need to concern yourself about
Carole.” He says, his eyes holding mine and keeping me captive.
    I want to believe him so much, even though he hasn’t even
bothered to answer my question.
    “Her father invested a lot in your career.” I start, looking
away from him.
    “In return