Scandalous 2 Page 0,54

"And you - what do you have a death wish or something? This is my husband, as in the guy I married. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I told you he was a bastard," Kate says from behind me. She waves the tips of her fingers at Jackson and smiles. "Want me to toss his ass into the picket line?"

I round on her. "No! Go away!"

Kate flinches and turns, taking Gus with her, she walks away muttering. "Come on. We're not wanted." The smirk on her face irritates the hell out of me. It's an I was right smile.

Jackson speaks up, "I didn't mean to cause trouble, Abby. And I'm sorry, Mr. Gray. I thought your name was Jonathan and Abby married a guy named Jack." Jackson shifts his weight from foot to foot and then looks back at the door. "Maybe I should go?"

"That's an idea," Jack replies coldly. I press my hand to Jack's arm. The muscle beneath is insanely taut.

"Jack," I say softly, looking up at him. I admit, I kind of like the jealousy thing. I've never seen Jack act like this before. It's hard not to smile. I say to Jackson, "Jonathan is a pseudonym. Listen, it was nice of you to stop in, but it's really bad timing. Maybe you should look me up next time you're in New York. I'm going to be up to my neck in this for the next week or more and going someplace with you to catch up isn't a good idea. I don't want the media to turn on you. Your career will be over in a blink."

Jackson smiles and shakes his head. "Abby, you're funny. I have no career, remember? My dad had too much money and even after the seven wives, there's still some left for me. I go where the wind blows. Right now I'm on vacation for the next few weeks. I'm staying at a house a few blocks from here. If you feel like chatting, feel free to stop by." He looks at Jack, "Again, I apologize for my lack of tact. Abby was a dear friend to me when I sorely needed one. You're lucky to have her." Jackson smiles at me and turns away. He picks up his briefcase and heads for the door.

I glance at Jack, feeling torn. Something about what Jackson said makes me feel like I have to answer. As he reaches for the door, I say, "We'll stop by sometime."

Jackson glances at me. "Good, I'd like that." Then he's gone.

Two seconds before Jack goes supernova, Gus and Kate make a mad run for the door.

"Ignore us, just passing through. Abby, you're an idiot. Jack, don't kill her. I'm pretty sure that was her only boyfriend and I think the most they did was hold hands." Gus is tugging Kate's arm, but she won't shut up. "They wore gloves and had a chaperone. Abby always wears protection."

Gus sucks in a shocked breath and pulls her out the front door. I hear him hiss, "Are you crazy? Abby's going to kill you."

The door closes and it's just me and Jack. Cara is gone. The glass guy is gone. The window is patched up and a new set of blinds is hanging in the window, blocking out the rest of the world. Kate's headlights disappear down the driveway. Since I don't hear a ton of honking, I assume the protesters have gone home for the night.

Jack turns away from me without a word. He locks the front door and moves through the lobby, flipping switches and shutting off lights.

"You can't be mad at me?" I ask, surprised by his reaction. "Jack, that was a long time ago."

"It doesn't matter." He sounds pissed.

"Hey, I didn't ask you to provide me with a list of everyone you dated. I didn't ask for the name of every girl you slept with, either." I'm on his heels when Jack stops short. He rounds on me.

"I would have told you. I would have told you if an ex showed up at the house and was asking for me. I would have told you if she asked to hang out and talk about old times. Damn, Abby." His blue eyes are blazing with fury. He shakes his head and says, "Just, damn." He turns and walks toward the hall that connects to the studio.

My heart thumps and falls into my stomach. I reach for him. "Wait, I don't understand why you're upset. I didn't