“You heard me. Now leave, you’re an annoyance I can’t be bothered to handle,” Cain said dismissively.
Oliver turned to me. “Is this what you’ve lowered yourself to? Prostituting yourself to the richest man. Of course, you’re not capable of earning money yourself, but really? Sleeping with whoever feels sorry for you? I hope your sexual skills have progressed because darling, vanilla and missionary won’t keep someone like Cain interested.”
I began reddening as people snickered.
Oliver gazed at Cain with pity. “Good luck with her. Doesn’t matter what I tried with her; Alicia was always squeamish.”
Cain flicked his cuffs and appeared bored. “Just how petty an asshole are you? No class whatsoever. Crude, rude, ignorant, uneducated, and needing investors. I told you once, you’ve no idea what you threw away. Shocking, it really is. Your lack of awareness and ability to read a situation is, quite blatantly, unparalleled. For your information, Alicia needs no educating in matters of the bedroom. In fact, I have a hard time keeping up with her. And unlike you, I don’t need to force her to suck my cock. And I do recognise quality when I see it.”
Cain sneered at Eve, and it was obvious what he meant. Oliver began to flush, a sure sign of his temper rising. Cain wriggled his fingers, and two men stepped forward. I recognised them as his bodyguards. “Throw the trash out,” Cain ordered.
They moved immediately.
“Touch me, and I’ll sue,” Oliver hissed.
“Will you walk away of your own accord?” Cain asked.
“No!” Oliver yelled.
“Refusing to leave on an owner’s request gives them reason to remove you, by force if necessary. Have a good day, but you won’t be eating here again. Idiotic, sex-crazed fools aren’t welcome in classy establishments,” Cain stated.
Cain turned to me. “My apologies, Alicia. Sometimes we can’t help the trash sneaking in.”
“It’s okay,” I murmured.
Oliver slammed his hands down on the table, and I jumped and squeaked. Cain rose to his feet and stared down at Oliver.
“How dare you act like a common thug? Mind you, I guess that’s exactly what you are. I know your background, Kensington. Make no mistake, everyone knew Alicia was the one who brought class to your marriage. And you were the fool who believed she was worth nothing. Alicia continues to be welcome at events and venues throughout this town. You, however, are a laughingstock.
“You had the perfect relationship, a business at the top of your sector, and there was no stopping you. And you threw that away for that cheap creature next to you. I’m sure she’s a great fuck, but that’s all she is. No class, no dignity, no self-respect. Look at her. She’s pathetic. Then check the treasure you tossed out. What a total buffoon you are. You saunter around like your shit doesn’t stink.
“But behind your back, everyone’s laughing. You’ve already had two contracts cancelled on you. You fucked with Ryder Jasper, a corporate raider who’s known for getting what he wants. Now Ryder wants Eliganz, and he’ll get it. What idiot fucks with someone like Jasper? And Jude Knox? The king of the media? You messed with him and his woman? They’re already destroying you in the press and making you the joke of the century. I don’t have to lift a finger because you’re on borrowed time. Now take that cheap piece of meat and get the fuck out of my restaurant,” Cain stated calmly.
His words were even more frightening and nerve-wracking because he was so calm. There was no visible anger in Cain. He sat back down, picked up his glass of water and sipped from it.Oliver leaned forward and was grabbed. Before he could speak, he was frog-marched out of the restaurant.
“I wouldn’t have said anything, Eve, but it appears you’re forcing me to. Do you really want to be with a man who drugged his former wife and admitted it in public? And also, that engagement ring? It’s an old one of mine. It was a limited design, released in twenty-twenty-two and near the right knuckle, you’ll find a little chip. I caught it on a wall. Oliver’s not even bought you your own,” I said.
Cain chuckled. “Second-hand cast-offs, it’s all she’s worth, anyway. Remove her from my sight,” he ordered.
Eve scurried away, but not before I saw the expression on her face. Guilt swamped me because Eve had been shamed and hurt. Then I remembered what she’d done to me. A bigger person might rise above it, but I wasn’t her. Eve deserved everything she got.
Devon
Christ, Oliver couldn’t keep a low profile. The scene at the restaurant was horrific, and Alicia was in the middle of it. I was somewhat surprised to see her with Cain Russell. Was he a challenger for Alicia’s affections? I wanted my shot with her. Through the years, whenever I’d seen her in a gossip rag, I wondered what had changed her. The strong girl I’d known was gone. Admittedly, Alicia hadn’t been a party queen or one of the popular girls, but she was nice, funny, and damn cute. There’d been a lot of guys who’d desired a chance with Alicia.
My biggest regret was not going off to college with her. I’d attended the one my parents had chosen. If I’d followed Alicia, we might have made something happen. Alicia had been the one who got away. There was no denying that I stalked her on thegossip sites. Oliver’s reputation spread far and wide. The asshole believed he was being discreet; his affairs reached my ears.
He was a pig and totally undeserving of Alicia. She’d always been kind and gentle, but that had been buried under her polished exterior. Alicia was regaining herself and shedding that robotic personality. Her hair was untamed and wild, and it suited her. Her fashion sense was more in line with our age group, thank God, but she remained reserved and uncertain. Oliver’s influence remained very much present.
Alicia was rarely spontaneous except when Mystique. She would give way to others during conversations and constantly defer to a man. She was full of self-doubt and checked for approval before making a decision. She wasn’t the girl I’d known and loved. But flashes of her were surfacing. With time and encouragement, Alicia might regain what she lost.
I watched the footage that someone had shot again. Alicia leaned towards Russell, where most would shy away. There was an ease between them that spoke of deeper feelings. Russell could have any woman he wished, just not Alicia. I had a weapon, he didn’t—Alicia’s and mine shared past. In matters of love, I wasn’t above using anything I could to win.
Eve
Oliver paced back and forth. His temper was up, and he was looking for a target. That wouldn’t be me. My mind flashed to Alicia when she’d spoken up. She’d shocked the hell out of me; I didn’t think she had it in her. The sympathy in her eyes bit deep, and I’d wanted to lash out. Nobody pitied me. I’d fought for everything in my life, and that doormat had no right to pity me.
I stared at the ring on my finger. Alicia hadn’t lied; there’d been a nick I’d missed. Oliver, the cheap bastard, had given meone of her cast-offs. The engagement was a joke. Not that it mattered. I needed a wedding band next to it for my plan to work. Too much hinged on my landing Oliver and his millions. I’d been close that day he got divorced. He’d been emotional and easy to manipulate. If seeing Alicia so joyful outside hadn’t enraged him further, I might’ve convinced him to go back into the court and sign the marriage license.
