“Brock is such a tool,” she says. “I still can’t get over Marie-Clémence’s betrayal. If she was more interested in Brock, why not be upfront about it?”
“After I kicked them out, she made sure to text me to let me know she was sleeping with Brock and me at the same time. She was being spiteful. Realization hit me with the force of a heavyweight champion’s blow. Her interest in my work made sense. She was another pawn in Ripley’s game—and most certainly paid well for her role.”
“They’re awful people.”
I nod. “Brock and MC made me look like a fool. It was humiliating. Because of them, we upped security measures by installing high-tech keyless touch-pad locks on the doors of every office on the executive floor. They’re tamper-proof Wi-Fi-smart locks, which can only be unlocked via a secure smartphone app. Only Dad, my brothers, our head of security, Dad’s long-time executive assistant, and I know all the combinations. That’s also why elevators require a key card to access the executive floor. I will never underestimate anyone ever again. As far as I’m concerned, anyone can be a backstabber.”
“Smart.”
“Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me and you don’t get to fool me again,” I say. “Ripley must’ve dangled a golden carrot in front of Brock’s face. He never had any qualms about being ambitious and since Ripley would sell his mother’s soul to secure a business deal, it was a match made in heaven.”
“I guess that explains why Brock works for Ripley now,” Michaela says.
“Two weeks after I unceremoniously kicked Brock out of my office, I caught wind he was working for Ripley as a VP ofboutique acquisition or some bullshit title like that. From my understanding, he heads the team that buys out family owned hotels looking to sell.”
“Evidently, it pays to be a snitch.”
“I blew a gasket.” I close my hand into a fist. “That position was Brock’s reward for allowing Ripley to profit fromourhard work and strategic thinking. Six months later, as I was putting the MC and Brock debacle behind me, I found out they got married.”
“Brock and his wife form the perfect couple––two venomous snakes in blissful marital harmony.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her comment. “Well said.”
“It’s been a recurring prayer since yesterday morning, but I’m so grateful Daddy didn’t hand me over to Ripley,” Michaela says. “I know he had no intentions of marrying me, but the thought of being his captive prisoner is nauseating. From everything you said yesterday, I’m sure he would’ve treated me like a whore.”
She’s right. He would’ve. In Ripley’s world, women are disposable cunts meant to be used. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I reach across the table and open my hands.
She obliges and places hers into mine.
I squeeze them before bringing them to my lips and dropping a soft kiss against them.
“Your father made the wager of a lifetime with the most precious person in his life,” I say. “I’m the lucky guy he trusted. Looks like his gamble paid off for both of us.”
“Looks like it,” she says.
Something passes between us, and this fake marriage doesn’t feel so fake.
“Not to mention, I’m fairly certain you make for a much better lover than Ripley,” she says.
I like where this conversation is going.
“Speaking of which, I made you a promise after that brilliant performance, Mrs. König.”
She cocks an eyebrow. “I might need you to refresh my memory. So much has happened tonight, I can’t keep track anymore.” Her flirtatious tone doesn’t go unnoticed.
I stand up and round the table.
I extend a hand. “Let’s go inside. I’ll remind you.”
“Shouldn’t I know what I’m getting into?”
My gaze burns over her exposed shoulders, and my nostrils flare. “I’m going to fuck you hard in nothing more than your heels, your wedding ring, and the necklace I gave you to show my appreciation for having my back tonight.”
She grabs my hand, her green eyes veiled with lust.
Chapter 27
