“Wow, talk about ignoring the cutting insult,” Rebel crowed, and people laughed.
“You had to cause a scene, didn’t you?” Oliver seethed, focusing on me.
“This has nothing to do with Alicia, but your lying piece of ass there. The skank was portraying some cheap knock-off as a unique Mystique. Even I can tell that what she’s wearing is of poor quality. Youbothintended to insult and shame Alicia tonight, but that hasn’t played out as planned. Instead, you’ve become a laughingstock and lost respect. Not that the creature had any, anyway. Good lord, Kensington, what happened to you? You were on target to be important, and you threw it away for loose pussy? You’re a joke! Remove yourself from my sight and this party,” Cain stated. “Or do you need another lesson?”
I glanced up as Oliver paled and wondered what that was about. Cain’s threat clearly meant something to Oliver as he swallowed hard.
“I’m asking for respect for my employee, that’s all, Russell. Alicia instigated this scene to cause drama. Christ, I don’t know what’s got into her lately,” Oliver said.
“Lies. You can’t gaslight anyone into believing differently. Everyone saw me call that skank out, not Alicia. Alicia wasn’t even with me. How and why could Alicia have caused this?” Rebel snapped.
“Because she’s petty, insecure, and a drama queen. Alicia has deliberately gone out of her way to upset Eve,” Oliver replied.
“Funny. That sounds more like your slut’s actions than your wife’s? Are you comfortable with Alicia on another man’s arm?Don’t like it, Kensington? You’ve been flaunting your whore for months, and don’t deny you’re not fucking her, it’s common knowledge!” Cain retorted.
Somehow, I stood strong. This entire scene was humiliating. Cain didn’t mean to shame me, but he’d stated what everyone else was thinking. What type of asshole brings his mistress to a private event and flaunts her?Stay silent, rise above it.Oliver’s mantra ran through my head. It seemed he had a lot of them. The truth choked me. I was the stupid wife, and everybody was witness to his unfaithfulness.
“Don’t fall for Alicia’s ploys. Russell, I’m warning you, she’s a master manipulator. Alicia’s throwing temper tantrums because she can’t get her own way. Christ, the bitch even attacked Eve in my office,” Oliver said. Further gasps rose, and shocked looks were directed at me.
I refused to comment and merely stared at Oliver, who seemed confused by my reaction.
“That appears out of character for Alicia. Yet, how could I possibly know her better than her own husband? Who is the cuckold here? Doesn’t feel like you even understand your wife’s personality. What a poor excuse of a husband you are.” Cain turned to Eve and smiled coldly. “I’d be careful. If he treats Alicia so shabbily, someone of class and breeding, how do you think he’ll treat somebody of your pitiful background?”
Eve flinched as people began muttering. Cain Russell had just made a stand.
“Excuse me, I promised Alicia a dance, and frankly, you’re not worth the energy. Neither of you. My time is valuable.” Cain said. With that, he offered a hand, and I took it.
Shoulders back and head held high, I allowed Cain to lead me to the dance floor.
“Are you always going to be my hero?” I murmured as Cain pulled me close.
“Who knows?” Cain said. “Smile, Alicia. Let those watching see you confident and shining. They’ll begin questioning Oliver’s words and those of that bitch.”
“Cum guzzling skank? That was rather inventive, Cain,” I mused, smiling as I remembered the looks on Oliver’s and Eve’s faces.
“Alicia, I never claimed to be a nice person,” Cain replied.
“Yet, you always are to me,” I challenged.
Cain smiled, and I bit my lip. A genuine smile that lit his face and made Cain even more handsome. “Maybe.”
“That’s your answer?” I asked, and Cain swung me out in a twirl, and I gasped before laughing as he pulled me back in.
“Alicia, I can be far more creative than you could ever imagine,” Cain said.
“Somehow I don’t doubt it.”
Cain’s presence at the table deterred the gossips; nobody wanted to upset him. He also kept Oliver at a distance, as Oliver scowled from across the room. He and Eve had slunk into a corner as people pointed and gossiped. It clearly galled Oliver that we were enjoying the evening, and he couldn’t ruin things for me. I’d never seen hatred in his eyes until now. As much as it gutted me, I knew the route I had to take.
As the clock approached one a.m. I grew tired.
Zinnia was the same, and Dax rose to his feet. “Let’s get you two home,” he said.
Cain immediately stood and offered me a hand. I rose smoothly and smiled awkwardly.
“I’ll walk you to the car,” Cain declared.
Dax glanced across, and I nodded. Dax was clearly uncomfortable with Cain doing so, but wouldn’t challenge him. Idon’t think anyone ever did. Dax was super rich, but Cain was in a league of his own.
