‘He’s not just any Daniel,’ she blurted, slapping the well-known gossip mag onto Zara’s desk and pinning its cover man in place with an over-zealous finger. ‘He’s the Daniel Lazenby.’
* * *
‘Right, what did you say?’
Daniel slammed the car door closed and pinned his sister with a glare.
She looked to him, blinked and then turned to the window on a small sigh. ‘Nothing of substance.’
‘Nothing of substance?’ He shook his head in disbelief. ‘She couldn’t get me out of there quick enough.’
‘I just gave her some advice.’ Her eyes came back to him and the cloud-like quality to her amber gaze dampened his anger. ‘Woman to woman.’
He frowned. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘That I told her she should be careful around you.’
He thrust his fingers through his hair with a frustrated breath.
There’s no coming back from such a damning declaration, not when it comes from your very own sister.
‘Kristus, Julia, it’s great to know you have such a high opinion of me.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Really, you want to go there?’
They fixed one another silently, the sound of the ignition filling the cabin and their bodies rocking softly as the car pulled away from the kerb.
Hell, she’s right. What can you say to that? Deny her words of caution? Act like they’re unfounded?
Still, he should have been given the opportunity to speak to Zara first.
And say what, exactly? Hey, I’m a publicly proclaimed and self-confessed playboy whose family notoriety means you should stay the fuck away, but fancy a repeat?
‘No, I didn’t think you would.’ She looked away, her attention once more on the passing streets. ‘Look, she’s not like the other women you go around with, and I’m not judging you, Daniel—seriously. With parents like ours it’s no surprise you don’t want to hold down a relationship, but she’s not like that.’
‘How would you know?’
‘Because we’ve talked, our history with men is not too dissimilar and, I’m telling you, she’s relationship material and you...you’re still too busy avoiding anything close to a relationship, playing the role Dad did to the press and pissing your mum the hell off. You have no idea what’s best for you.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’ He did, but he was in no mood to discuss his dear old parents. Not when his mind was on more important things—like getting Zara back on side.
Slowly, she turned to face him. ‘Yes, you do. And that image you paint, the whole heartless playboy act, it’ll catch up with you eventually. It’ll be you that suffers.’
Something in her words caught at him. Her honesty, her emotion, her love. Whatever it was it had him on edge. ‘You don’t need to stress over me. I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself.’
‘I don’t doubt it, but while you’re playing at being the big boy, you can stay away from her.’
‘I can’t. I’m helping you house-hunt.’
‘Not any more.’
He swallowed heavily. ‘Come on, Julia, don’t let this get in the way of finding you the home you deserve.’
‘Women seem to lose their judgement when they’re around you and I won’t have that on my conscience,’ she said forcibly. ‘You’re off the hunt.’
Kristus. Now what...?
‘Okay,’ he said eventually, a new plan starting to form that wouldn’t put his sister in the middle. ‘I’ll back out of the legwork, so long as you’ll still consider my financial assistance.’