The name seemed to grip Rhett by the throat.Each corded muscle popped against his neck as he moved across the office.“We are matched.”
Maxine sucked in a breath, her lips forming that distinct O as she waited for the salacious details of Rhett’s tarnished romance.
The corner of Blair’s mouth itched with a grin.It wasn’t Rhett’s pain that made her feel better, but the fact that this little girl wasn’t ruining Blair’s life alone.Misery loves company, and all that.“And you know the details of their...impropriety?”
“Impropriety?”Rhett snorted.“It’s disgusting what they did.Barbaric!”
The hairs on the back of Blair’s neck rose.“Rhett.”She tented her new fingertips beneath her chin as he sat beside her.“We are so much alike, you and I.We overestimate those around us.We expect in them the same traits that we possess.After all, it shouldn’t be difficult to follow the path laid out before you.We did.And look at us now.”Her sweeping gesture took in the marvelous expanse of her office.“In control.In power.But others, those we love...”Blair paused an extra breath to study Rhett, but he didn’t waver.“Those we care for...”Another pause.Another impenetrable wall.“Those we possess...”
Rhett’s fists tightened around his cap.
Blair clasped her hands and rested them against her knees.“I am not surprised this happened.”
Rhett’s brow creased.“Then you know something I don’t.”
“I know my brother.What I do not know, however, is how you were completely unaware that your match is such a trifling...”Blair twirled the air around her fingertips.
Maxine tilted her head.“Siren?”she chimed.
Oh, little monster.“Ah, yes.”Blair nodded.“A word straight out of the history books.”
Rhett shifted uncomfortably.“Now, I wouldn’t go that far.Elodie has never seemed—”
Blair held up her hand.“Major Owens, most people are not how they seem.In your line of work, I’m sure you battle against that quite often.”
Rhett puffed.“Who’s to say you don’t have it backward?That your brother—”
“I know him better than he knows himself!”With a deep inhale, Blair packed her rage back down her throat.“Do you not remember that I brought you here to guide him down the right path?Clearly, he is easily manipulated.I will give your vermin of a fiancée that much credit.She chose wisely.”
Whatever Rhett was going to say, he’d channeled it into the cap he continued to twist in hishands.
Blair stood.She needed more space in her chest, more room for her lungs to expand and breathe, not to catch and quiver.She pursed her lips and dustednon-existentlint from her black pencil skirt “The next time I see you, you’ll have my brother and thatgirl.”
Rhett nodded andstood.
“And, Major Owens, I don’t need to remind you that this matter is to be handled discretely.”Blair dragged her new nails along the stone as she rounded herdesk.
With a tight nod, Rhett smoothed out his cap and tented it against his white blondhair.
Blair gripped the back of her throne to keep from keeling over.Aiden was tearing her apart.
Maxine cleared her throat, widened her eyes, and pointed her chin in the Major’s direction.
Blair bit the inside of her cheek.She needed to focus.She’d almost made a mistake.Men like Rhett Owens didn’t like to be bossed.They liked control.They liked rewards.“Major Owens, this matter is personal and, I’m sure, affects you deeply.Know that after the dust has settled, I will make sure you are matched to a worthy woman.One of your choosing.”
Rhett’s Adam’s apple bobbed with a thick swallow.
“Elodie.”Blair scraped the tip of her tongue along her teeth.Just saying the girl’s name left a bad taste in her mouth.“She did this to us all.And I trust you will help me right all her wrongs.”
Rhett stood.“I would like nothingmore.”
Blair forced a smile as Maxine escorted Major Owensout.
The moment the door hissed shut Blair slid down the back of the velvet chair, dropping to the floor like a stone.Her body heaved and tightened, heaved and tightened.But no sick came up.The revelations about what the girl had done to her brother had already cleaned her out, leaving room for nothing exceptrage.
“Elodie!”Blair screeched.“I’m going to murder that bitch with my own hands!I’ll kill them all for what they’ve done tohim!”
Maxine was back in an instant, shutting the door behind her, mirroring Blair’s posture, her fingers digging into the plush rug with the samewhite-knuckleferocity as Blair.“You will deal with them.Wewill deal with them.But not likethis.”
