Get a grip,I tell myself, forcing some emotional distance between us.
A glimmer of something that’s halfway between disappointment and greed surfaces in his darkened gaze, then disappears.
Disquieting need digs deeper into my belly, but I shake it off. This isn’t real, I remind myself. But it doesn’t feel like a show.
Chapter 8
Lucienne
“I’m so sorry.” Bianca rushes over as I step out of the elevator in Peery Diamonds’ North American headquarters the next morning. “I don’t understand how they can twist a picture between you and Sebastian kissing into you stealing him from Gabriella Ricci.”
“I would’ve been shocked if they hadn’t. There’s nothing to be done about it, so don’t worry.”
“They’re saying that she’s ‘too heartbroken’ to make an official statement about the incident. It sounds like you put her in the hospital or something!”
“Pfft. Let it go.” I try for blithe unconcern, like I always do when stuff like this happens. It’s better than showing how much it hurts.
To bolster myself for the day, I picked out one of my best outfits—a gorgeous teal Versace suit that never fails to make me feel untouchable—and extra-tall high heels in sunflower yellow. On my throat and ears are diamonds—because when a girl’s feeling down, nothing cheers her up like some impeccably cut stones. “This isn’t my first rodeo, Bianca.”
“Yeah, but he’s yourfiancé. It’s so unfair what people are saying about you.”
“As opposed to when?” “Bitch” is among the kinder words strangers fling at me online.
Bianca purses her lips. “We should announce your engagement soon.”
“Why don’t you contact Sebastian’s people and see how they’d like to proceed?”
We walk together toward my office. My eyes narrow when I spot Roderick walking toward us from the opposite end of the hall.
He hasn’t changed much over the years—just some silver at the temples and extra lines around his eyes and mouth. For a jerk, he’s aged pretty well. He should’ve acquired some scars or something to reflect what an awful human being he is inside.
I study his Brioni shirt and slacks, the A. Lange & Söhne on his wrist and the huge yellow diamond on his finger. His face is radiant—he probably had a facial in the last couple of days.
Familiar resentment stirs again. How much of my money has he spent on himself? What else is he doing with it behind my back? He doesn’t limit himself to extravagant shopping sprees. He also uses my funds against me: hiring people to look for a spineless husband he can pair me up with, retaining lawyers to foil my attempts to audit my own finances. Donating to Nesovian politicians who openly state women shouldn’t have the same property rights as men.
It’s appalling, but my hands are tied until I’m married and can audit everything to see what he’s done. Nesovian laws are lenient toward trustees—so long as they aren’t caught. The politicians are sexist enough to keep the laws the way they are, but image-conscious enough that they don’t want scandals arising from the improprieties of male trustees.
Roderick probably thinks he has enough time to find me a husband he can manipulate. I can’t wait to see his face when he realizes he’s wrong.
“What are you doing here, Roderick?” I say as I enter my office.
“What am Idoing?” He follows me in, leaving the door open. “I’m entitled to be here.” He doesn’t try to force me to address him as “Daddy” or “Dad” because he’s finally accepted that I’m never going to.
Bianca hovers. So does her assistant Julio, who’s trotted over. The former is worried, and the latter is half concerned, half anticipatory. The fact that Roderick and I don’t get along is no secret.
I put my purse on the desk and turn to face Roderick. What wouldn’t I give to wipe that smug look off his face. “You don’t hold any position at Peery Diamonds.”
“Sure I do. I’m a consultant, remember?”
“A ‘consultant’ with nothing useful to contribute.”
“Plus, I’m your father and proxy, so I have a say here.” He shoots me a superior smirk.
Asshole. I can’twaitto reincorporate the company in the States.
“And I have an appointment with Darren,” he adds.
“About what?” I say, wary at the mention of the CFO and my former fiancé.What are they plotting behind my back?
