to do to stop the pressure building inside her like a volcano ready to explode. “He’s going to take Matt!”
Evan stood, grabbed her by the arms and made her focus on him. “We can fight him, Kelly.”
She pulled from his grip. Pointing a damning finger at the television, her voice rose in panic. “How, Evan? If I didn’t know the truth, I’d be pitying the poor fool for being seduced by a wanton woman who ran off with his baby! I can’t fight him. The man will say and do whatever it takes to clear his name.”
Evan folded his hands as if praying to punctuate his words while achingly aware that Kelly was naked under her robe and that her most sublime affection for him had just been crushed. He had to reach her. Make her believe he could help. “Kelly. Please. You must listen to me. We can raise public support for your position and win, but you have to do as I say.”
* * *
IN THE BLINK of an eye, it all fell together in Kelly’s mind. The understanding poured through her like an arctic blast to the face. She looked at Evan as if seeing the man for the first time. She shook her head, mistrust making her want to scream while suddenly all too aware of her nakedness at this excruciating moment. The fact that seducing her this afternoon played a role in his grand scheme made her think murder wasn’t good enough for how deeply Evan had betrayed her.
Her voice fell dangerously low. “You planned all of this. Didn’t you?”
Disbelief filled Evan’s eyes. “Porter’s interview? No! Absolutely not!”
She took a step back. “Oh, no? Let me guess. Now, you’re going to tell me that you will interview me on television where I will tell the world that Buzz Campbell raped me and I’ve been hiding all these years to keep that monster from taking my son.”
He closed his eyes, his arms dropping to his side. “Yes, Kelly. That is exactly what I was going to advise. I’ve told you this before.”
The despair that crossed Evan’s face almost had her believing she was wrong. But no. She knew the truth. Evan had been wooing her, making her feel safe. He lured her into accepting the lie of a false marriage and lying about Matt being his son so that Steve could blast the truth on camera and force her to make a stand to save her son and her own pathetic pride. Evan had manipulated her—from the first day Jay Doyle aired his story straight up to this point.
She palmed her own forehead. “How could I have been so stupid?”
“Kelly, you are completely mistaken. I am telling you the truth. I cut a deal with Campbell to become Matt’s father and marry you in order to shut him up.”
“Yes, but that was just a small piece to your elaborate plan with Steve to achieve your ultimate goal which is to throw Campbell out of the candidacy and use my baby to do it. This was all about the goddamn story, Evan. And, don’t you dare lie to me.”
He stepped into her path as she tried to leave. Her eyes were alive with a fury he’d never seen. He’d lost her, he knew it. This broadcast was what she had feared most. Someone pushing her against the wall with nowhere to go. How could he make her believe him?
“Please listen to me! I fought with Steve this morning because he threatened to conduct this interview. I thought I convinced him to wait, but believe me Kelly Sullivan, by all that is sacred and holy, after learning the truth from you about Buzz, I didn’t give a damn about the story. I wanted to do what is right to protect you. It’s why Steve has been on my back all week.”
She’d have no more of his lies. She tried to move around him, but he stepped in front of her until she met his gaze once more.
“As for Campbell? Hell, woman! I was going to support the man for president until I learned what he’d done to you. Believe me. I can do my homework and take Campbell down in ways that won’t involve you.” He invaded her space, inhaling her sweet scent because he knew she was on her way out. “I cut that deal with Campbell because I love you, Kelly Sullivan. I love Matt. I was glad and willing to tell the world a boldface