Chapter 2

"I think we should put off the wedding."

Evelyn paused mid-stride and turned to stare at Stacy. "What?"

Stacy shifted from her perch on the sofa and met her cousin's gaze. "I think we should put off the wedding." She repeated in hushed tones, green eyes filled with worry. "With your dad in the hospital and this thing with Lucas..."

"No!" Evelyn's voice was firm as she crossed the room to the sofa where her cousin sat. She grasped Stacy's shoulders and gave her a firm shake, determination glinting in her eyes. "The wedding will go on as planned. If we put it off, you can be damned sure that bastard will think he has won and I'll be damned before I let that happen."

That was the last thing Evelyn wanted. For Lucas Martin to think that he had succeeded in throwing the family into a panic. Her jaw set as she recalled the scene at his office yesterday and once more her blood boiled at the memory of that arrogant bastard throwing those words at her. She let go of Stacy and returned to the French doors that led to the balcony and stared out through the pouring rain at the Chicago skyline.

He was such a hypocrite! She thought. If he wanted Stacy, he should have fought for her all those years ago rather than let his damned pride get in the way and then wait five years before carrying out some warped vendetta against her family. Her lips curled in derision at the thought. Lucas Martin was a coward, nothing more, more less.

"Why target the hotel?" Stacy moved to stand beside Evelyn. "Your father had nothing to do with our break up, so why is Lucas doing this. I don't understand his motives for doing this Evelyn, it's all so confusing."

"He is insane, that's why." Evelyn replied, her lips a thin line of displeasure. "A mad man who needs to be locked up in a padded cell and have the key thrown away. Men like Lucas Martin don't need a logical reason for doing the stupid things they do sometimes, it's just pure madness driving him."

She resumed her pacing, her mind going through a million possibilities, searching for a solution to this irritating problem. One thing was certain though, she had to find a way to get those shares back even if it meant stooping to the same sleazy, underhanded level Lucas had used to acquire them in the first place.

"I should go and talk to him." Stacy said. "I could try and reason with him somehow. What do you think?"

A memory of Lucas's insulting actions rose up in Evelyn's mind and she shuddered. Heaven only knew what he would do to Stacy if she went to him. She wouldn't put it past him to humiliate her cousin in the same way he had attempted to humiliate her.

"That's not a good idea Stacy." Evelyn replied, raking a hand through her disheveled hair, the limp brown locks flopping over her forehead in an untidy disarray. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and cringed.

Crap! Evelyn thought, wincing once more. She looked a mess in the worn blue dressing gown over equally well-worn pajamas and fluffy pink flip flops, face bare of any form of make up and hair flying every which way. In contrast, Stacy looked perfect in tan pants and a white silk blouse, blonde hair expertly cut in a sleek bob that framed her oval face.

Right now, her cousin was scowling at her in confusion. "Why?" Stacy asked, folding her arms across her chest, her expression defiant. "I'm the one he wants to punish so I should talk to him at least."

"Trust me Stacy, that would be a very bad idea." Evelyn turned from the mirror and faced her cousin. "You know how Lucas tried to blackmail me. What makes you think he'll go any easier on you?"

Stacy bit her lip and turned away, shoulders tense. "I don't know." she admitted in defeat. "But I have to do something Evelyn, this is my fault after all."

Evelyn's phone beeped, cutting off her reply. She strode to the coffee table and picked up the phone, reading the text message.

"Ah damn!" she swore, checking her watch. Nine forty five am. The message was from her father's secretary, reminding her of the emergency board meeting in fifteen minutes. Evelyn had completely forgotten about it, completely preoccupied by the crises with Lucas. As it were, she could barely squeeze in a shower and a few minutes to get dressed before heading down to the conference room.

"What is it?" Stacy asked, watching Evelyn scramble about in panic.

Evelyn paused on her way to the bathroom and shot Stacy a quick look. "I have to hustle or I'll be late for the board meeting."

Ten minutes later her hair a damp mess, she reached into her closet and grabbed the first outfit she could find.

Lucas studied the faces of the people gathered around the conference table and smiled to himself at the discomfort and hostility clearly written on their faces. His gaze moved to the three empty seats at the opposite end of table and he checked his watch, his brows drawing together in a frown. Ten minutes past ten and there was still no sign of the formidable Miss Smith.

How ironic that the same woman who had raked him over hot coals for arriving late for dinner all those years ago was now the very same woman guilty of the same offense. He leaned back against his chair and wondered what excuse little miss snob would give for coming late. A lover perhaps? An image of Evelyn, lying spread-eagle do on his bed, that pale skin flushed with lust as she awaited his administrations, came into his mind and he felt a stirring in his groin.

Lucas shook his head to clear the image. Evelyn Smith was not the sort of woman he took to his bed, for one thing, she was far too curvy for his tastes. He liked his women slim, elegant and well endowed, not plump little snobs with nothing better to do than break up relationships.

The door to the conference room opened and the very object of his thoughts hurried inside in a haze of pink. He raised an eyebrow at the limp damp hair and ridiculously bright pink dress she wore. His lips curled in amusement at seeing her so disheveled. No doubt, she had been busy with a lover... too busy.

"I am so sorry!" Evelyn said, completely flustered as she rounded the table without looking directly at anyone. She set the brown leather briefcase she carried on the table and shoved her bangs from her face, looking into the faces gathered around with an apologetic smile. Evelyn stilled when she noticed Lucas, her eyes widening first in shock then incredulity.

"You!" she shot to her feet and glared at him. "What the hell are you doing here? This is a private meeting for board members only. Get out!"

Lucas shrugged and leaned back in his seat. "I presume you don't make it a habit of arriving late to meetings Miss Smith?"

Her face heated and Lucas had the pleasure of seeing her flustered. "No, I don't." She forced out through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with hate as she leveled that brown gaze on him. "I was... delayed"