Breath of Scandal(129)

He seemed too overcome by the news to speak.

Donna Dee straightened up and glared at Jade. "We won't be needing your son after all. " Her beady eyes glowed maliciously. "And I'm so very glad. I'll never have to thank you for saving my husband's life."

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Dillon had stayed up half the night trying to make sense of the few facts he knew. When he finally went to sleep, his dreams were more disturbing than consciousness-and decidedly more erotic. At daybreak, he decided he could postpone his Saturday errands and chores and drive to Savannah instead.

He was after more than just a change of scenery. He was on a quest for information. If he couldn't get it from Jade, perhaps he would tap Donna Dee Jolly for it.

Technically, Jade's personal life was none of his business. If he continued probing into it, she was apt to fire him. But he had reached the point where he was willing to take that chance. Whether he liked it or not, he was already involved with Jade, even if it was only a one-sided relationship.

He had arrived at the hospital by the time Jade emerged from the ICU. Upon seeing him in the corridor, she showed her displeasure. "What are you doing here?"

Her face looked pale beneath the overhead fluorescent glare. There were violet crescents beneath her eyes, but they only enhanced their size and vibrant color. She had on a short, straight, stone-washed denim skirt, a white linen shirt, a red leather belt, and red sandals. She looked outstanding.

"I could ask you the same question," he said. "After what I overheard last night, I figured this was the last place you'd be today."

"I have a reason to be here. You have none." "Consider me a curious bystander." Noticing the flurry of activity going on around the ICU, Dillon looked beyond Jade's shoulder. The corridor was suddenly full of medical personnel, all rushing around. "What's going on?" "Hutch has a donor."

His gut knotted. "Not-"

"No, not Graham. An accident victim."

She glanced back at the ICU, then turned and headed toward the exit. Dillon fell into step beside her. "Is Hutch Jolly Graham's father?"



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Sandra Brown



Without faltering, she maintained her brisk stride. don't know - "

'40h, for Christ's sake." Irritably, he stepped in front of her to block her path. "Is he or isn't he?"

"Why don't you stay out of my personal life? Your morbid fascination with it really puts me off

"What's Mrs. Jolly to you?"

Supremely annoyed, she held her breath for a moment before releasing it with a sigh of resignation. "Donna Dee and I were best friends."

"Until when, Jade? When did you stop being her friend? When Hutch fathered your baby? Were they already married at the time?"

"Of course not! How dare . She compressed her lips to keep herself from saying more.

He could tell that the question had really pissed her off. It was time to fall back and punt. Taking her arm, he guided her toward the exit. In a mollifying tone he said, "If you'd be honest and up ftont with me, I wouldn't have to pry." "This is none of your business."

"I think it is." "Why?" Again he stopped to face her. So much for punting. He



backed her into the neafest wall and whispered fiercely, "Because I want to know why you freeze up every time I touch you. Damn you, Jade, you've made me want to touch you. But I can't stand for you to look at me like you're the human sacrifice and I've got fresh blood on my hands." "I don't want to hear this."

"You may not want to hear it, but that's the way it is, and you damn well know it. You can tell by the way I've kissed you that I want to sleep with you."

"Don't. Don't say any more." "Jade-"

"Mark this down," she said with emphasis. "There can never be anything intimate between us."

"Because you sign my paycheck?"

Anger flickered briefly in the desolate blue eyes. "That, too. But mainly because of things you don't know."

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"What things, Jade? That's what I'm trying to find out. Tell me what things."

She shook her head. For the time being, her stubbornness appeared impenetrable. Swearing beneath his breath, Dillon stepped aside and let her precede him to the exit.

It was midafternoon by the time Jade reached the outskirts of Palmetto. She noticed in her rearview mirror that Dillon was still following her. He hadn't let more than one car get between them at any point during the trip from Savannah. He took the cutoff right behind her.

The windin country road was banked on either side by



9



dense forests' It eventually came to a dead end at an abandoned plantation house. The For Sale sign had been there so long it was nearly obscured by the tall grass growing around its stake. The elements had faded the lettering. The house itself was architecturally impressive, though it had fallen into disrepair. Paint was peeling off the Corinthian columns. Window shutters were loose or missing altogether. A portion of the roof had been ripped off by the last hurricane to move ashore.

The surrounding live oak trees had escaped damage, however. From their branches, trailing moss hung motionless in the humid heat, unless it was relieved by a breath of coastal breeze. Birds twittered among the stately pines and drank at a lichen-covered stonework fountain. Crepe myrtles were so burdened with ruffled fuchsia blossoms that the branches bobbed like the heads of old maids stealing naps.