“Ah. You speak French,” Marie-Clémence says.
“I’m one of those Americans who manages more than English. I read and write cursive perfectly as well. Our school system hasn’t failed all of us.”
Judging eyes run up and down the length of my body.
I part my lips in a triumphant grin.
Michaela, one. Bitchy French girl, zero.
“Phoenix got himself a smart little one,” Brock says.
The idiot keeps accumulating the insults.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Michaela.” He extends his hand.
Phoenix snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to his tense body. A warning.
I stare at Brock’s extended hand for a beat before meeting his pitch-dark black eyes. “I’ll be honest, Mr. Litoris, after that dig to my husband and your cold, callous remark about my father-in-law’s recent heart attack, I’m less than enthusiastic to shake your hand.” I snub his welcoming gesture. I curl my hands around my evening clutch to drive home my point.
My mother must be turning in her grave at my effrontery and lack of manners, but everything about this man makes my skin crawl.
Bitchy French girl’s gaze flashes to my hand, and her eyes take over her face at the sight of my wedding ring.
My eyes travel to her left hand, and I can’t help my smug smile.
Size matters.
You want to turn this into a cockfight? Bring it.
Brock sticks his hand in his pocket. “Wow, for a little woman, you’re a spitfire.”
I pull my lips up in a forced smile.Demeaning asshole.“What can I say? I’m protective of my husband.” I pat Phoenix’s chest.
I mean every word I just uttered. I’m not privy to their dynamic, but I’ll go to bat for Phoenix.
“And here I thought you got yourself a wife. Instead, King König got himself a tiny guard dog.” Brock flashes a set of teeth that’s way too white.
I despise this vile man.
“They say Chihuahua’s are the worst.” Mrs.Piss-Clitorisadds her two cents.
“I reckon, snakes are far worse… you don’t see them coming until it’s too late.” Phoenix shoots back a slicing remark at Marie-Clémence.
I sense bad blood between these two.
“There you go again bad-mouthing my wife, König,” Brock says.
“She brought it on herself… with a little help from you. But then again, you two feed off each other.”
“Michaela, I’m sure Phoenix has told you all sort of erroneous things about my wife and I––”
“You give yourself too much importance. My husband has never mentioned your name.” My gaze slides to the woman with a stick up her ass. “Or hers.”
“I’m surprised Phoenix never mentioned us. The three of us have history together,” Brock says.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.
“Like I said, you give yourself too much importance, Mr. Litoris.”
