The Price of Honor by Emilie Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

“Why?”
    â€œXavier’s here.” Megan nodded toward the man by the riding ring.
    â€œI’ll call security and have him thrown off the property.”
    A horse and rider came into view, sailing over the hog’s-back jump she’d set up for this afternoon’s advanced student. “Wait. That’s Apollo. With Tim in the saddle.”
    â€œThe stallion you used to ride for Xavier?”
    â€œYes. What is Xavier up to now?”
    â€œTrying to get your attention would be my guess.”
    â€œWell, tough. I’m not up for another confrontation. Could you drop me off at the cottage?”
    â€œI’ll do that after we find out who gave that jerk permission to be here. Somebody must have. My guess isWyatt. I knew not telling him about your pregnancy was a mistake.” Hannah put the car into motion and did a U-turn.
    â€œThe fewer people who know, the better my chances are of keeping Xavier from finding out before he loses interest in the chase and returns to France.”
    â€œIf he stays he’ll find out anyway.”
    â€œI know, but I’m willing to bet he’ll leave as soon as I convince him I’m not going to follow him home like a lost puppy.”
    They parked by the big house. Megan climbed from the car and trailed Hannah to the study where Wyatt sat behind his big desk. It felt so different to come here now when she didn’t have to tippy-toe to avoid yet another reprimand from Hannah’s father.
    Wyatt rose immediately and crossed the room to greet Hannah with a hug and a kiss. Megan averted her face to the tender moment. After this morning’s realization that she’d better get used to doing things on her own, their obvious love for each other was more than she could handle.
    â€œDid you know Xavier Alexandre is at the stables?” Hannah asked.
    â€œYes. I’ve given him permission to interview our riders.”
    Dread filled Megan. She couldn’t risk bumping into Xavier at every turn.
    â€œYou’ve what?” Hannah practically screeched, extracting herself from her fiancé’s embrace.
    â€œXavier is giving me inside information on advertising on the Grand Prix circuit for the new product launch. In return I’m granting him access to our riders so he can select one or more to exhibit his horses. He said Megan refused.”
    â€œOf course she did.”
    â€œHannah, baby, this is business. Your feud is personal.”
    â€œBut how can you let him on this property after the way he’s treated Megan?”
    Megan winced. She didn’t want to be the cause of contention between the lovebirds. “Hey, guys, no need to fight.”
    â€œRelationships end.” Wyatt’s brown eyes turned to Megan. “Can’t you and he handle this situation like adults?”
    Megan’s mouth opened, closed. Her tongue felt as dry as an old sock. “It’s a little more complicated than that.”
    â€œDid he ever hurt you? By that I mean physically abuse you or threaten to do so?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIs he threatening you now?”
    She exhaled slowly, resignation settling like a lead weight on her shoulders. Apparently the men were going to side together. “No.”
    â€œWyatt, that’s not the point. She’s pregnant and he can’t find out.”
    â€œHannah!” Megan squeaked in dismay.
    Her cousin grimaced. “I’m sorry, Megan, but Wyatt needs to understand why you’ve refused to ride Xavier’s horses and why we can’t allow him on our property.”
    Again Wyatt’s gaze drilled Megan’s, making her yearn for the solitude of her cottage. “The baby’s his?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou haven’t told him?”
    â€œNo. Given the fact that he’s engaged to someone else, I didn’t want to risk a custody battle—one I can’t afford and might lose.”
    Wyatt’s face softened only slightly.