“I’ll carry us both.”
Having no further protests, Scarlett placed her hand in Carter’s and followed him into the crowd of dancers. He grasped her waist tightly, nearly carrying her as they moved. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears at his touch. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind, though the heady scent of his cologne didn’t help clear her thoughts. She would not allow herself to become attracted to the man who was trying to ruin her father and her family.
Aside from the aspect of betrayal implied by her attraction, Scarlett knew it was a no-win situation. Carter would never believe she was truly attracted to him and would assume, as he’d done previously, that it was a plot to soften him up. He would become even more ruthless, and Scarlett would get hurt. I don’t even like him, she reminded herself forcefully and repeatedly until the music ended. “Now we’ll leave,” said Carter.
Scarlett followed meekly behind him, not even asking if she could change first. Before they left the ballroom, Lecy intercepted them. “Don’t hurt my sister,” she said in a low voice, pitched so the other guests would not hear.
“She’ll be perfectly safe.” Carter sounded bored.
Lecy snorted. “You’re a beast, Carter Braxton, and some day you’ll get what you deserve.”
Carter leaned forward, and his height dwarfed Lecy. “I’m counting on it, Ms. Terini,” he bit out. As Lecy’s eyes widened, he took a firm hold on Scarlett’s arm and pulled her out behind him.
In the town car, Scarlett sat on the seat across from Carter and stretched out her legs. “Where’s Darren?” she asked.
“In the front with the driver,” Carter said disinterestedly.
The mask pressed tightly against Scarlett’s face, and she removed it without thought.
The overhead light was on, and Carter gasped. “Who did this to you?”
Scarlett dropped her eyes and didn’t respond. “How did you know about the party?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“I called your home,” Carter dismissed. “Now, tell me his name. As if I can’t guess,” he added bitterly when she didn’t speak. “Did Terini give you that for returning home? Was it how he persuaded you to return to my place tomorrow?”
“I was disrespectful.” Scarlett nearly choked on the words. “It was as much my fault as his.”
“How many times have you been disrespectful?” he asked in a cold voice. “I never considered the possibility he was violent to his children,” he said almost silently.
“This is the first time he’s ever done anything like this, and it’s your fault. You’ve put him under tremendous stress.”
“And hitting a woman is a great stress reliever?” he asked in a rough voice. “What a wise and wonderful man Rocco Terini is.”
“It’s not your business.” Scarlett replaced the mask.
“You look ridiculous with that thing on,” Carter said with a hard laugh. “I’ve already seen the mark, so you can stop hiding behind your mask.”
“I could say the same thing to you,” Scarlett said harshly, without thought. There was a moment of dead silence, and Scarlett’s stomach cramped with fear at his retaliation.
“What does that mean?”
“I’ve never seen you without a suit on. And you wear it like armor.”
“I have my reasons.”
“Oh? I doubt that,” she countered.
He eventually reacted, but not in the way she had expected. “You want to see why I wear long sleeves and suits all the time?” Without waiting for Scarlett’s response, he pulled up his sleeve.
The skin was puckered, lined with red and white scars, and healed burns. The wounds were old, but still fierce, and mouth dropped open. “How did it happen?” she whispered in a shaky voice.
“Acid.” That was his only answer as he fixed his sleeve and then adjusted his bowtie.
The rest of the ride passed in deep, uncomfortable silence, and Scarlett was grateful to escape to her room when they finally arrived back at his estate. It was exactly as she’d left it, with all her clothes still in the bureau and closet. Her things were undisturbed. After checking the bathroom, she removed the dress and slid into bed, wondering if she would sleep. Her afternoon nap had refreshed her, and her eyes resisted closing. Visions of Carter’s ruined arm continually paraded through her head. Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she didn’t know if they were for herself or for him. How he must have suffered. When she finally dropped off, nightmares of her own arm being plunged in acid plagued her sleep.
8
Scarlett