Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
He glances at our stepfather. Then at me. His stare says everything. You're making a mistake. Letting him control you.
Then he turns to Lizzy. He's pretending something. Protecting her from this.
She doesn't know what Lucien looks like. She doesn't know he's still breathing. Still infecting the world.
She doesn't know he's here. And he's trying to keep it from her.
Where the fuck does Nick get off telling me about honesty?
Asshole.
"Mai was saying you seem like a tiger in the sack. Well, it sounds a little different in Vietnamese, but that's the best translation." Jasmine's voice is nervous. "She um… I think she recognizes Lucien. It's been awhile though."
"Yes," I say.
"I didn't realize you were still in touch."
"Here and there." That's a nice way of putting it.
"Oh. I thought… I'm not sure, actually. It makes sense. He was your father for a long time. Of course, you're in touch." Her eyes meet mine. They're soft. Loving. Like she's inviting me to lay my heart bare for her.
That's not going to happen. "Yes." Not the entire truth, but enough.
Despite the disbelief in her eyes, she nods. "And this arrangement—"
"He needs to believe it. Everyone needs to believe it. Nick is the only one—"
"Oh." Surprise streaks her expression. "He didn't let on."
"He has a good poker face."
"Have you ever played him?" she asks. "He's a shark."
My brother is an expert poker player. He places in tournaments all the time. Some high stakes, some for a few hundred dollars. I'm sure he could destroy me in a game.
He knows the odds.
And he bluffs better than I do. He's cooler. Calmer. He took all that pain and turned it inward.
Whereas I'm ready to throw a fucking table out the window.
I squeeze Jasmine's hand.
She squeezes back. It's comforting. More comforting than it should be, given the circumstance.
"Mr. Marlowe." Charles, my stepfather's second in command, extends his hand. "It's always lovely to see you." Technically, Charles is someone on the board I can impress. But it's unlikely he'll vote in my favor if that bastard doesn't. Better to focus those resources elsewhere.
Like throwing that bastard out the fucking window.
Deep breath. Poker face. "You too." I release Jasmine. Shake his hand. Turn to her like I'm ready to marry her. No, I am ready. And I am proud to introduce her. She's the most remarkable woman I know. The most remarkable person I know. "Have you met my fiancée?"
"Jasmine Lee." She extends her hand. Shakes his. "I'm always happy to meet a friend of Shep's. But I have to admit, now that I've left finance, I can't stand to hear about it."
"You can't?" I ask.
She shakes her head, leaning into the explanation. "It's so tedious. All the terms, all the rules, all the numbers. Like a board game that doesn't make any sense." She turns to me. Stares up at me like I'm the only thing in the universe that makes a lick of sense. "I'm not going to miss that."
"Ever?" I ask.
She shakes her head. "Never." She turns to Lucien. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so rude. I just get caught up talking to Shep." She offers her hand. "It's been a long time."
"Please." He ignores her request for a handshake. Holds out his arms, inviting her to hug him.
She looks to me for approval, but he's too fast.
He swoops in. Pulls her body into his. Holds her like he'll never let go.
My blood boils. This suit is too stuffy. This tie is suffocating me.
I need to take it off, wrap it around his throat, pull tight. So he never breathes again.
But Nick is right. If I kill him, I'll be under his thumb forever.
He'll win again.
The bastard always finds some way to win. He knows rules I don't. He invents new ones.
I don't breathe until he releases her. Then I grab her too hard. Pull her too close. Hold her too tightly.
"Careful." My voice is a threat. "I get jealous."
I won't hesitate if he hurts her. It will be the last mistake he ever makes. I don't care what it means for me. Or for this bullshit game he's playing.
No one hurts her on my watch.
"You've always been such a beautiful girl." Lucien's voice is a dare. What are you going to do? We both know you're not man enough to stop me. You weren't then and you aren't now. "And, now, such a lovely young woman."
Charles nods. "My wife would love that dress."
Jasmine smiles and names some boutique in midtown. "Tell her Jasmine sent you. And maybe she'll give me a discount next time."
Charles raises a brow. "Are you lacking cash?"
"Never too rich for a good deal." She turns to me. "Right, baby?"
My balls tighten at the term of endearment. She hasn't called me that since we were kids. And then—
Fuck, this is confusing.
I want to hold her.