Chapter Twenty
“Jake Wild. Ever since you left the city and moved down to our little town, I have been waiting to see what you have been up to.” A supermodel-looking woman wearing a red dress, with curled blonde hair and who was probably close to my age, walked right up to Jake and kissed him on the cheek. She did not care that I was holding his hand or that she pushed the other couple out of the way.
“Marlene,” Jake acknowledged her but kept his face void of any emotions. I did not like that.
“I’m Cammy. Nice to meet you,” I said, interrupting her roving eyes.
“Oh, pardon, didn’t see you there. I’m Marlene Debarue, James’s sister. We own all of the Rue Diamonds in the country.” She bitch-smiled at me. Like I cared. I was more of a sapphire girl, anyway. James was rolling his eyes like she was the bratty little sister.
“Wonderful to meet you.” It was hard for me to reel in the bitchiness, but I was succeeding thus far.
“I’m so excited you have resurfaced. It’s been, what, five years? What have you been up to? We must get together, for old times’ sake.” Oh dear God, did Jake penetrate this skanky woman’s vagina? Ew.
“I’ve been running a rescue for exotic animals,” he commented, but didn’t elaborate.
“Animals?” She gasped at the word.
“Yes. All sorts.” He was short in his answer. I could tell he wasn’t too happy to be around this woman, either. James and his date were watching their conversation with absolute attention.
“I can’t picture you around animals. I mean, you’re Jake Wild.” She was looking at him like she was trying to figure him out. If I was being honest, this conversation was starting to confuse me, and I didn’t like that.
“So how do you two know each other?” I asked, voicing the question I had been asking internally since she walked up.
“We played in the same circles back in the day. Much has changed but it seems you still fill out a tux very well.” She turned back to him and eyed him up. Ew. I was done with her eye-fucking him.
“That he does. You should see him at the rescue, talk about melting panties!” I fanned myself and Jake covered his laugh with a cough. Marlene’s eyes darted to mine.
“Cammy, may I have a word with you?” She wrapped her hand around mine and pulled me away from Jake. Not wanting to make a huge scene, I allowed.
“Are you and Jake an item? I must know.” She stopped and turned to me, a few feet away from our little circle.
“Yes, he’s mine.” Declaration made, bitch.
“Well, as you probably know, Rue Diamonds is worth millions. Name your price to leave Jake, and I will handle it.” My jaw dropped. Her face said she was completely serious, but surely she was joking.
“Uh, no.” It was all I could utter, in my shock.
“Honestly, Cammy, you have no idea who you are even with. Jake Wild needs a woman of sophistication. A woman who can handle his personality, his home life. I understand what all he goes through, being of his stature. You, my dear, have no clue.” She stood up higher, like she was proving her point of superiority. Fuck that.
“Honestly, Marlene,” I used the sweet tone she just used with me, “you can go fuck yourself. Jake is mine, and trust me, I handle him just fine.”
She leaned in closer. It was an aggressive stance.
“I could ruin you, you know. I get what I want and I want Jake. He’s been gone from my life too long, and now I want him. I will do whatever it takes to get him.”
Did this bitch just threaten me?
“Hell, no, you did not just threaten me, bitch. I may not be as bad ass as Rayne, but I can sure as hell choke a bitch up in here.” I was starting to turn on the flail when strong arms wrapped around me.
“I’m sorry, Jake, she just started getting attitude with me. I tried to calm her down, but she just threatened me.” Her little pouty pink lips poked out. OH. HELL. NO! I tried to reach her with my hands, but Jake pulled me back.
“Marlene. I suggest you leave.” His voice was harsh, but I didn’t flinch hearing it.
“Me? She’s the one that threatened to attack me,” she whined.
“She just tried tobuy you from me. Then threatened to ruin me. Which, by the way, try it. See what happens.” That was a bluff. She could probably bring my business down.
“I did not—” Marlene tried to get in another word, but Jake cut her off.
