The waiter left, and I turned my attention back to Cain.
“Do you often rescue damsels in distress?”
“No. I can’t stand them,” Cain quipped. I stared in disbelief and burst into laughter. People around us sent sideways glances as Cain let a brief smile cross his lips.
The waiter came to take our orders, and we placed them as Cain ordered a bottle of their best champagne.
“Happy birthday, Alicia,” Cain said as it was poured.
I sipped it cautiously. “I’ve never tried this.”
“Somehow, I’m not surprised,” Cain murmured. “Alicia, I feel like your life was built around that asshole. What did Kensington do to you?”
I opened my mouth to answer and then closed it. Tonight, I wasn’t going to defend Oliver. My damned husband left me sitting in a restaurant on my birthday while he sat cosied up to his assistant. Precious Eve.
“Kensington is a fool. Who leaves a woman like you alone? Especially to hold a…” Cain pulled a face, and I realised he was searching for words that wouldn’t upset me.
“An out-of-hours business meeting?” I suggested.
“Indeed. A politer way of putting what I was thinking,” Cain replied.
“Yet, rather like Ryder, you’re notorious for speaking your mind.”
Cain smirked briefly. “Some people I don’t want to hurt. Open your presents.”
I opened the gift bag and pulled out three boxes. Diners stared intently, making no attempt to hide their nosiness. “People are looking.”
“And? I don’t give a fuck.”
He nudged the closest box, and I picked it up and opened it. I smiled as I saw the necklace inside. It was gorgeous and, nodoubt, expensive. I gently touched the emerald four-leaf clover pendant with a finger.
“Thank you.”
Cain pushed the second and third gifts closer. I opened the second and found a beautiful, jewelled brooch in the shape of a flower. The third box held a delicate, handcrafted crystal flower. Gently, I reached out and touched it with a fingertip.
“Oh, Cain, that’s stunning,” I whispered.
I glanced up to discover Cain staring at me with an intense look. “Yes, it is.”
Chapter Ten.
Oliver
Iwas furious. Cain Russell. Alicia had dinner with Cain fucking Russell. The pictures were everywhere, and Alicia had made a fool of me. What had she done? Booked Cain as a backup? I’d been enjoying a drink with Eve when my phone blew up. A picture of Alicia sitting at a table with Russell popped up, and I nearly choked.
Then a video of Cain greeting Alicia followed, with him apologising for being late. It was exacerbated by the love hearts accompanying his next words. Cain gently explained he didn’t text Alicia because he’d been in a hurry to get there.
Loudly, I ground my teeth. There I was, working my fingers to the bone, and Alicia was booking intimate dinners with Cain Russell. The evening worsened as another clip popped up, and I almost screamed.
“Your husband is a fool. Who leaves a woman like you alone while…” Cain said.
The third put the nail in the coffin. Whatever Cain had bought Alicia clearly meant something, judging by the look on Alicia’s face as she stared at the gifts. Fury brewing, I hastilyescorted Eve home and rushed back to take Alicia to task. The house was dark when I arrived, and I realised she wasn’t here. It was eleven o’clock; where the hell was my wife?
A vehicle pulled up, and I hurried to the door to find Russell helping Alicia out of the car. Alicia laughed and then said goodnight as she walked towards me.
“She’s married,” I ground out.
Russell looked at me as Alicia paused. “So are you, asshole. Appears you forget that often though. What pissant leaves his wife on her birthday to take an employee out? Asshole,” Russell retorted. “If you don’t cherish what you have, someone else will.” With that clear threat, Russell turned to Alicia. “Alicia, will you be okay?”
