Instead of staying in Grester where he belonged, here he was, setting foot on Gorman s turf, doing business in his city, and now meeting Linsey, alone, in a restaurant.
He hadn t had nearly enough time with Linsey. And now fate had to throw this nuisance right in his path?
A hot surge of irritation burned in Gorman s chest. If Linsey hadn t been standing there, he would have happily rearranged Collin s smug face with a few well-placed punches.
Still, he kept his temper on a tight leash, his voice sharp and accusing. What are you doing here? The rightful source is Find~Novel.net
Collin s reply was just as icy. I could ask you the same.
He owed Gorman nothing, so why was this man acting as though he had been wronged?
Great. This day was quickly turning into a parade of unwanted encounters.
What do you mean? Gorman took a slow breath, forcing down the urge to snap. I m here for my girlfriend.
He emphasized the word girlfriend as though daring Collin to challenge it.
Collin paused, his gaze flicking to Linsey. Could Gorman be referring to her? Gorman didn t leave him wondering. He pulled Linsey close, one arm firm around her waist, and declared, This is my girlfriend Linsey Brooks.
Collin s brows drew together, a faint crease of disbelief marking his expression. The world seemed small. Of all the possible connections the woman he had helped twice was this man s girlfriend?
One incredulous thought echoed in his mind was she blind?
Of every man in the world, she had chosen Gorman?
Gorman, meanwhile, had been studying him closely. He caught Collin s faint look of disdain. His jaw tightened. What s that look supposed to mean?
Blind, Collin replied flatly. Can t you tell?
You! Gorman s temper spiked, his fists clenching, but he reined it in again. Listen, Collin, he said in a low, warning tone. Linsey is my girlfriend now. If you have even a shred of decency, you ll stay away from her.
Before Collin could answer, Linsey suddenly blurted out, her eyes wide, You re Collin Riley?
The infamous Collin devilish, ruthless, the man who had stolen Gorman s fianc e and left a trail of vicious rumors in his wake? It couldn t be.
Her shock was palpable; she instinctively stepped back, as if distance alone could protect her.
Collin s gaze lingered on her reaction before sliding back to Gorman. His voice dropped to an icy register. Seems you ve been telling her quite a few unpleasant stories about me.
Of course, Gorman had but he wasn t about to admit it.
Your reputation speaks for itself. I don t need to add a thing.
Collin s lips curved in a humorless smirk. Funny I thought the bad reputation was yours. I hear you bankrupted a company so thoroughly that its CEO hired hitmen to take you out. Yet here you are still breathing.
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