Bedmates Soulmates

He Was Worth A Lousy Ten Million?

Kayleigh said slowly, "Kira took the money and promised she would leave you."

Austyn turned his head to look at her.

His eyes were dark with some unfathomable emotion.

'She took the money from you."

Kayleigh nodded.

'What price did she name?'

'Ten million dollars."

"That's how much she thinks I'm worth? Austyn gave a humourless chuckle. "I'm flattered."

He gripped the steering wheel.

"I have evidence, Kayleigh quickly added.

Austyn was clearly pissed off.

Now was the ideal time to add one more nail to the Hewitt woman's coffin.

Kayleigh took out her phone from her handbag and pulled up the audio recording.

She hit 'Play."

Kira's soft voice filled the interior of the car.

'... You asked me to leave Austyn. Don't worry, I will. I promise. Cross my heart."

...I know the two of you are in love. Don't worry. I'm not going to be a third wheel. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together." 'Miss Woods, you misunderstood me. It's not a million dollars. It's ten million."

...I'll make myself scarce as soon as I receive the cheque."

*... Ten million is a lot of money. People have killed for less. All you're asking me to do is to leave a man. To that, I say, hell yes."

*... Thank you for your generosity, Miss Woods. It was a pleasure doing business with you."

'... He doesn't deserve my love. Miss Woods, here's my two cents' worth-don't fall for him. He's not your Mr Right.'

....If he can cheat on me with you, he can cheat on you with somebody else. Once a cheater, always a

cheater."

Don't waste your time and love on the wrong person.

The light had turned green,

Austyn didn't move.

Cars behind started honking, then drove past the Hummer.

Irate drivers flashed their middle fingers at Austyn.

He didn't notice.

He Wall Worth A, Lousy Ten Miñon?

The carbon fibre steering wheel groaned in his vice-like grip.

Kayleigh was both pleased and dismayed by his reaction.

The angrier he was, the harder he would come down on the Hewitt woman later.

But she was also keenly aware that the recording only incurred his wrath because he cared.

He cared about that Hewitt woman.

Ten million?

Austyn's eyes were open but unseeing.

He was blinded by rage.

Kira thought he was worth a lousy ten million dollars?

She was willing to leave him for money?

Did she know that the villa she was living in-one of a dozen properties he owned-was worth more than ten million?

And that the M Group was worth at least a thousand times more than the house?

For one golden egg, she was going to kill the goose.

How stupid could that girl be?

s with you. you.

And the way she talked in the tape-"It was a pleasure doing business

She viewed deserting her husband as a business deal.

What did she take him for? A commodity to be traded and bargained over?

The light had changed twice in the meantime.

When another driver behind leaned on his horn, Austyn stepped on the gas.

The Hummer shot forward, throwing Kayleigh against her seat.

Austyn didn't slow down despite Kayleigh's shrieks of horror.

Kira stood to one side and took notes when the doctor checked on Giana and changed the contents of her IV bag.

It was a colourless solution this time.

She pestered the doctor with questions.

"What food can she eat? What food should she avoid?'

"Will there be complications? What signs should I look out for?

"What counts as strenuous activities?'

How long till she can be back on her feet?"

"Sorry, Doctor, Glana said after shooting Kira a look. 'Please don't mind her. She's a worrywart."

The doctor nodded.

'I'll get you a brochure," he said to Kira. 'It'll answer most of your questions. If you have any more...just

give a shout to the nurses."

"Thank you, Doctor. Kira saw him out.

"Where's your husband?' Giana asked as soon as the door was closed.

Kira rolled her eyes. 'How should I know? I'm not his nanny. He's a grown man. He can come and go. whenever he pleases."

'You guys had an argument?"

Kira poured out a glass of water and handed it to Kayleigh. "Sort of. I kind of pissed him off."

When she couldn't answer his question, Kira fled the ward with the excuse of looking for Kayleigh.

Austyn was gone from the room when they returned,

'What did you do? Kayleigh raised an eyebrow.

'I didn't do anything!' Kira protested, hands on hips. 'Actually, I have you to thank. If you hadn't told him I was selling his info for money, he wouldn't have found those messages on my phone!" Giana shrugged. 'Sorry. It just slipped out."

'Humph!" Kira poked a finger at her friend's cheek. 'You're lucky you're cute. I'll let this one go. Just this time, though. If you sell me out again, be prepared to face the Wrath of Kiral I won't, I promise."

'Fine. Are you hungry? Do you want me to get you anything from the cafeteria?"

'No, food's not important right now, my friend's married life is. So that's why he was pissed off? Because of the messages?'

Kira heaved a sigh.

It wasn't really because of the messages.

He pretended to be miffed, but she could tell, by a kind of sixth sense, that he wasn't really angry.

A man like Austyn wouldn't let some harmless gossip get to him.

Except for that last question about Kayleigh.

Kira almost gave away her entire plan.

When he pressed her, she ran out of the room.

She knew how she would feel if someone just left in the middle of a conversation, so she could understand why Austyn would be mad.

But it couldn't be helped.

She couldn't possibly tell him she planned to divorce him a year later.

If that particular cat was out of the bag, there would be hell to pay.

'Are

you sure you don't want any food?

'Kira Hewitt, stop trying to change the subject. I-'

Giana paused when she heard the door open.

Kira looked up.

It was Austyn.

A Lousy Ten Million?

Why did he come back?

To demand an answer from Kira?

His face was impossible to read.

Kira's mouth hung open at the sight of the woman behin

Mistress And Wife, A Face-off

Kayleigh Woods!

Kira rubbed her eyes.

Was she seeing things?

No, it was the actress all right, standing beside Austyn, large as life.

What the hell was he thinking, bringing the mistress to meet the wife?

Was this his way of getting back at her?

That possibility made her hackles rise.

But before she could react, Giana beat her to it.

Giana threw aside the blanket, sprang to her feet and pointed an accusing finger at Kayleigh. "What are you doing here? You're not welcome here. Please leavel"

Kayleigh blinked, bit her bottom lip, cast her eyes downwards, and moved closer to Austyn as if for protection.

Giana was fit to be tied. 'Oh please, no one is fooled by your act. You're not that good an actress, you know. You can stop playing the victim."

'Miss Mills,' Kayleigh spoke in a small voice as if she were Cinderella being bullied by the evil stepmother. Austyn brought me here. He said he would make sure that justice is served. Please just calm down so we can talk."

Justice?

For Kayleigh?

He was here to speak up for Kayleigh?

A minute ago, Kira thought there was something wrong with her eyes.

Now she started to think there was something wrong with her ears as well.

Giana was equally speechless.

Kira squared her shoulders.

She stared straight at Austyn. "How do you plan to make sure justice is served?'

He knew full well that Kayleigh set the whole thing in motion.

What was he doing, taking Kayleigh's side?"

Kira clenched her fists.

Bastard!

Kayleigh knew better than to say anything.

She had the upper hand now.

She just needed to stand back and let her man handle it.

She took another tiny step towards Austyn.

Austyn, unperturbed by the glare from both Kira and Giana, took a long stride toward his wife.