Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
I didn’t believe him. Not one bit.
“And I had to make it look real. I had to convince him I wasn’t bluffing.”
And you weren’t.
“I-I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“It had to look real, Laura.”
“But you planned to use me as a pawn that entire time. You knew I wouldn’t be able to convince him.”
“A man like him isn’t going to be persuaded by a woman’s pleas.”
God, I was so stupid.
“I understand you’re angry, Laura—”
“Angry doesn’t even begin to describe it. I told you everything…and you treated me like a dog.”
“There was no other way. Bartholomew had me pinned down. It was either that—or lose everything. Laura, you saved our family. You saved our legacy. I hope you understand the sacrifice you made.”
“But it wasn’t a sacrifice—because it wasn’t my choice.”
His gaze hardened. “He would have killed all of us.”
“Only if you didn’t cooperate.”
“And you think I’d submit?” he asked incredulously. “You think I’d ever take orders from someone else? You think I’d ever be someone else’s bitch? Yes, I’d rather die—and he already knows that.”
I didn’t want my father to end up like that, refusing to cooperate and getting shot in the head. If that did happen, I’d probably never want to speak to Bartholomew again. Regardless of what I decided, Bartholomew and I would be apart right now.
But in this scenario, I looked like the bad guy.
It could have easily been him.
That was the moment I stopped feeling so terrible about my betrayal. If I hadn’t betrayed him, he would have betrayed me. When I’d begged him to stop this, he could have backed off, and we’d be in Paris right now…my ankles locked around his waist.
My father’s voice brought me back to the conversation. “You saved us, Laura. And for that, I’ll be eternally grateful.”
His pretty words would never sway me. I wouldn’t be gaslit, not this time.
“I hope you understand how sorry I am. How horrible I felt in the moment.”
I couldn’t accept his apology so easily. That would be suspicious as hell. “I’m relieved no one got hurt but me. I’m relieved that the livelihood of our family is preserved. But I don’t forgive you.”
His eyes shifted back and forth between mine, and he actually looked hurt. “Are you still seeing him?” He already had that information from Victor, but he asked me anyway, just to be sure.
“No. He couldn’t look past my betrayal.”
“You protected your family. He would have done the same.”
Not Bartholomew. “I miss him, but…it is what it is.”
“He wasn’t the right man for you, Laura. The only interest he had in you was your connection to me.”
And that bit him in the ass. If he hadn’t walked into my shop, his plan would have been successful. He should have just walked away, and after getting my heart broken, I wished he’d done exactly that.
“I see the way Victor looks at you.”
My eyes locked on his.
“There’s been no one serious since you.”
My face remained indifferent, but a seed was planted—by my own enemy.
“Just thought you should know that.”
Victor was waiting by the entryway so he would see me when I left. He was in a black t-shirt with dark jeans, the normal shadow on his jawline now a short beard. His dark eyes locked on me the second I came around the corner. He even looked me up and down, as if to make sure I was unharmed.
I walked up to him. “Let’s get lunch.”
He stilled at the invitation, his eyes shifting back and forth quickly, as if he couldn’t believe what I’d just said. “Alright.”
We left the estate together and walked down one of the side streets until we found a café. It had paninis and pastries with espresso, so we ordered a couple things and took a seat.
Victor looked out of place, like he felt he didn’t belong there…or with me.
I took a drink of my espresso, getting the caffeine kick almost immediately. My heart didn’t race the way it had before when I’d come face-to-face with my father. I was still angry, angry enough to kill, but the rage was tempered as I began to lay out my plans.
“Are things good between you?”
Not even close. “He made his argument. Total bullshit.”
Victor didn’t touch his coffee or sandwich. He’d probably already eaten lunch but didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to see me one-on-one. “Then you’re going back to Paris.” His disappointment was palpable.
“Actually, no.”
His eyes narrowed.
“I’m definitely staying. I’ve got work to do, and you’re going to help me.”
Victor’s confusion intensified, his handsome face becoming sterner. “Help you what?”
“Get my revenge.”
His muscles stiffened noticeably, and his confidence started to wane. “Laura—”
“This is what we’re going to do. He’s going to think we’ve gotten back together. We’ll have to take our time with this to make it believable.”
His eyebrows furrowed as he listened to me.