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CHAPTER ONE

‘A DIVORCE CAN be civilised,’ Cristo Ravelli pronounced in a tone of studious tact

Nik Christakis alh at such a statement froenuine respect for his sibling kept his cutting tongue silent After all, what could Cristo possibly know about the blood and mayhem of a bitter divorce? Cristo was a newly and very happily married man without that experienceor that of many other unpleasant life events, in Nik’s considered opinion As a result, Cristo was as solid and straight as a ruler; he had no corners, no twists, no hidden places He had no more concept of Nik’s infinitely more complex and darker life experience than a dinosaur catapulted into a fairy story full of fluffy wings and ic

‘I know you’re probably wondering where I get the nerve to offer advice,’ Cristo reood relationship and ratcheting down the current tension and cooling the aggro would be healthier for both of you—’

‘Then you should be delighted to hear that Betsy and I are having a face-to-facetomorrow in the presence of our lawyers in an effort to iron out a settlerim and hard

‘It’s onlywryly of the vast business eround up ‘you have plenty of it—’

Nik ground his perfect white teeth together, his unusually light green eyes flashing bright with barely restrained fury ‘That’s not the point!’ he cut in harshly ‘Betsy’s trying to takeI have—’

‘I can’t explain why she’ssuch excessive demands I would’ve sworn she didn’t have a mercenary bone in her body,’ Cristo fielded uncomfortably ‘Have you tried to talk to her, Nik?’

Nik frowned darkly ‘Why would I try to talk to her?’ he asked in astonishestion that clearly struck him as insane ‘She threwto rip me off to the tune of billions!’

‘She did have so in a rueful undertone

In answer, Nik compressed his lips He had his own very fire had imploded He had married a woed her mind It was true that he had chosen to withhold certain very private information from her in the aftermath of that revelation but he had understandably assue of heart was a whiht hopefully fade as quickly as it had first arrived

‘It was my house,’ Nik responded flatly

‘So now you’re planning to take Lavender Hall off her as well as the dog,’ Cristo breathed heavily

‘Giz, returned to his care two y depression Giz around hiy paws The ani that money could buy but, in spite of Nik’s every effort to the contrary, the wretched mutt continued to pine for Betsy

‘Have you any idea how devastated she hen you took the dog off her?’ Cristo enquired

‘The three pages of tear-stained care instructions that came with him did provide a hint,’ Nik breathed sardonically ‘She wasthan she ever was about me—’

‘Less than a year ago, Betsy adored you!’ Cristo shot back at his brother in conde response

And he had liked being adored, Nik acknowledged; he had liked it very much indeed When adoration had turned to violent hatred and questions he couldn’t answer he had had no appetite whatsoever for the new regime Questions he could have answered had he been forced to do so, he qualified inwardly, but he could not have stood to see the look of pity or horror on her face should he have told her the truth Some truths a man was entitled to keep private; so to share

‘I ed me to talk to Betsy, to becoht it was because you loved her and wanted her back and hoped to use me as an intermediary—’

Nik’s devastatingly handsome face clenched hard ‘I didn’t love her I’ve never loved anyone,’ he adood homemaker—’