Embattled Home by J.M. Madden Page A

wanted to fly under the radar of attention and she made choices to do that.
    She looked up when he stepped into the room, her green eyes soft. Within a split second, they had chilled to a frosty green.
    He hated to see that look settle into her eyes. For the first time in a long time, he wished a woman would look at him and smile, just because he belonged to her. Chad swallowed, his throat working, as the realization took root in his gut.
    No, he didn’t want ‘a woman’ to look at him that way; he wanted Lora to look at him that way.
    She tilted her head at him, fine brows raised in question. “Are you okay?”
    Blinking, he gave a sharp nod. “Just…thinking about something. Sorry.”
    She shrugged. “I was hanging clothes. And wondering how long we’ll be here.”
    Chad sighed and moved in a bit closer. “I’m not sure. Flynn just asked the same thing and I guess it depends upon how quickly Duncan can investigate your ex. People with money have things to hide. We just have to find his dirty secrets. I came in to ask if there’s anything else you could think of that would help us do that. I need to call Duncan to check in.”
    Lora blinked and shifted around him to stand at the window. Outside, pine trees swayed in the breeze. The wind gusted a little, sending dust skittering across the yard. She seemed fascinated, eyes darting back and forth. “I don’t know what would help. He’s an egomaniac. I think you’ve realized that. Thinks he’s better than everyone else. Believes he’s God’s gift to womankind, whether they want him or not. Derek Malone grew up privileged. And he had no problem taking what was denied him.”
    Anger built in his gut. It was obvious to him that Lora had fought against Derek for a long time.
    “Do you know if he was involved with anyone else?”
    She shook her head. “I was the only one he married; I know that. I’m sure he had affairs, though. There was a long stretch during my pregnancy, most of it actually, when he wouldn’t touch me. I’m sure he had something on the side. Maybe a couple of somethings.”
    Chad smiled at the tone of her voice. “I don’t think you cared, though, did you?”
    She graced him with a small smile. “No, I didn’t. Derek Malone lost his appeal within a few weeks of marrying him.”
    That one sentence reassured Chad as nothing else had. If she had lingering feelings for the scum, it would be difficult to pursue charges against him.
    “And tell me about the business. Were you involved with it at all? What was his regular schedule like? Did he go to work every day nine to five?”
    She snorted. “Never. He had an office at the company but he only went in sporadically. Rosalind wanted him to take a larger, more active part in the company at first, but I think even she has begun to realize what a fuck-up he is. As far as I know, he still goes into work but he doesn’t get the same projects he used to.”
    Chad laughed out loud at her words. She’d cussed. He raised his brows at her in surprise and she turned a little pink. Then she managed to laugh a little as well.
    The change in her face was truly something to behold. The plain clothes and the bruises on her face faded away, and the beauty beneath peeked out, dazing him for a long moment.
    “Rosalind is the driving force behind all of this. As crazy as it seems I think she may actually care about Mercy. I know Derek has a vague need to be with his daughter, but he doesn’t realize the kind of engagement and support a child needs. He’s too much of a child himself.”
    Chad knew men like that. Several of them, in fact.
    “I’ll pass this info on to Duncan and see if there’s anything he can use.”
    She nodded, turning back to the window.
    Chad hated to interrupt her again, because she seemed content just looking out the window. “I’m going to run down to the house for an hour or so and talk to my parents. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I, uh,” he cleared his throat as she turned