The Rival Read online

  “Thank you again for registering.”

  Dane crouched down to say goodbye to Jayden, who’d already finished his cocoa. “I hope you get better, Jayden. I’m rooting for you.”

  Jayden glanced up. “Thanks, Mr. Stewart.”

  The young boy’s smile in spite of all he’d been through broke Dane’s heart, and he quickly made for the exit without looking back at Iris. He couldn’t. Instead, he pulled out his cell phone, made a call and snapped out instructions.

  The bodyguards followed him to the lobby and out through the main entrance, where his car had magically appeared, along with Whitney, who was now by his side barely keeping pace with him.

  “What was that about?” she asked.

  “What?” Dane was disconcerted. He was still thinking about the beautiful woman he’d left upstairs whom he’d given his private number to. It was something he never did, but Dane felt like he could trust her.

  “Iris Turner. You asked her to coffee.”

  Startled, Dane glared at her. “I’m not sure what you’re implying, Whitney. I was merely being nice. I would think you’d appreciate the positive press instead of twenty-questioning me.” He didn’t wait for a response as he hopped in his sports car.

  Adrenaline, sleek and sure, pounded through him as he revved the engine. Had the truth been written on his face? Could Whitney sense his interest in Iris? Her hand was so delicate, yet strong. He could still feel her touch as if she’d branded him, which was ridiculous. She was going through a lot and for some reason Dane wanted to help her. And if it was in his power to assist, he would.

  There was nothing more to it than that.

  Copyright © 2019 by Yahrah Yisrael

  ISBN-13: 9781488046964

  The Rival

  Copyright © 2019 by Joanne Rock

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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