Hollywood Hills Collection. Lynne Marshall

you and I promise I will work this out. I don’t want you to worry about Brooke. Leave her to me.’

      Abi relaxed slightly but she doubted it was going to be as easy to deal with Brooke as he would have her believe. But she would give him some time and space to sort things out. She had to make sure he had done that before she could invest in the relationship; she had to be able to trust him.

      Damien grabbed his car keys and headed for the door. He had some letters to dictate but he’d have to come back later and finish those—there were things that couldn’t wait. He was furious but he knew how to handle Brooke. She would have an agenda and he’d bet his last dollar that he knew what it was.

      Brooke was lying on the sofa with an icepack on her forehead—the aftermath of her visit to James—when Damien got home, but at least she had collected Summer from school. He sent Summer to her room while he spoke to Brooke. He was still furious and he didn’t want Summer to hear this conversation.

      ‘What did you think you were doing at the clinic?’

      Brooke lifted the ice pack from her forehead but didn’t sit up. Her unlined face was a picture of innocence as she asked. ‘What are you talking about?’

      ‘Did you think Abi wouldn’t tell me what you said? What game are you playing?’

      ‘It’s not a game. I want Summer with me and I didn’t think you’d let her go without you. Therefore, that means you will move to New York.’

      ‘I am not moving to New York and neither is our daughter.’ He knew she was just trying to make him angry so he would give her what she really wanted. He just had to find out what that was. ‘You don’t want us. You definitely don’t want me. I don’t think you ever did. Tell me what you really want. You know I’ll give it to you.’

      He suddenly realised what she was after. Money and fame. It shouldn’t surprise him. That was always what it was about with Brooke. Nothing had changed. She wanted Summer with her so that Damien would fund her lifestyle. Two could play that game. ‘I won’t give you Summer. She is staying with me but she can visit. If you agree that Summer can stay here, I am prepared to help you with your rent. I want you to have somewhere nice when Summer comes to stay.’

      He took a chance that appealing to Brooke’s avaricious nature would pay off. They would need to make some arrangements but he would do whatever was needed to ensure that Brooke didn’t cause more complications, and then he could work out how to fix things with Abi.