Page 30 of In Love and Revenge

‘Oh, really?’ I murmur, pretending to be listening. But I needn’t worry about being convincing because Charlie is too distracted by the way my nipples have tightened to stiff peaks and are poking through my dress.

Rafael takes another sip of his drink, and his gaze notches up in its intensity.

Why does he have to stare so hard? He looks like he’s about to cause himself an aneurysm.

‘Yeah. He said there was a guy who went to prison for stealing millions from the company he worked for or some shit. His name was Thorne too. And he has a daughter called Aurora,’ Charlie says.

‘George,’ I reply absent-mindedly as Rafael’s date returns and leans down to whisper something in his ear before taking her seat.

He breaks eye contact with me and gives her a slow, sexy smile, transforming his face into a version of him I never would have believed existed, let alone think I’d ever witness.

‘Yeah, George Thorne,’ Charlie continues.

‘That’s him,’ I murmur, watching as the raven-haired beauty reaches over to Rafael and brushes her thumb over the corner of his mouth like she’s wiping away an imaginary crumb. He catches her hand in his and turns it, pressing a kiss to her inner wrist. But his eyes return to mine, like it’s all a show for my benefit.

‘Bastard,’ I whisper, hating how he’s sitting there, flaunting his date, making her fawn all over him like he’s some kind of catch. I wonder if she knows he’s a cold-hearted, judgemental arsehole. Then again, knowing his type, she’s probably married.

‘That’s what I said,’ Charlie gushes. ‘What a bloody bastard. I told my mate it was just a coincidence. You’d have told me if your father was a criminal. Checked if I was okay with it before we—’

I snap my eyes away from Rafael. ‘Before we what?’

Charlie tilts his head, grimacing. ‘You know ... before we started sleeping together.’

‘Right.’

‘It’s kind of important, don’t you think? To know what kind of family your girlfriend comes from before you start bringing her back to your place and ... you know? I mean, what if you got pregnant by accident, then I found out? Anyway, doesn’t matter, it’s just the same names. Weird, though, right?’ Charlie blows out a relieved chuckle.

I take a deep breath.Rip it off, that’s what Dove said. And Charlie’s giving me the perfect opportunity.

‘George Thorne is my father.’

Charlie laughs. ‘Rory, come on, that’s not funny.’

‘You’re right, it’s not. It’s not funny that he’s been locked up for something he didn’t do.’

Charlie gapes at me.

‘I actually wanted to talk to you about something too,’ I say, seizing my opportunity. ‘You and me ... I don’t think this is work—’

‘You’re joking, right?’ Charlie leans across the table, glaring at me.

‘No, I’m sorry. I’ve been thinking it for some time and—’

‘I meant your father!’ he snaps, causing me to recoil at the venom in his voice.

‘Why would I joke about that?’

‘You mean to tell me I’ve been dating the daughter of a goddamn crook? Do you have any idea what that could do to my professional reputation if people found out?’

I frown. ‘You’re an imports manager. You don’t work in finance. I doubt anyone would care if—’

‘Stuck-up bitch!’ he scoffs, throwing his seat back and standing so fast the bottle of wine on our table topples over and falls on to the floor, glugging out its contents.

‘I’mstuck up?’ I gasp. ‘You’re the one telling me you wouldn’t date someone because of who their family is. Even if what people say about them is complete and utter bullshit.’

‘I can’t believe this.’ He pushes his hands back through his hair, dragging in deep breaths before his eyes narrow and he leans over the table towards me, pointing a finger into my face. ‘You’re a lying—’

‘That’s enough,’ a deep voice thunders.