“Yes, to the first. No to the latter. I’ve spoken to my lawyer, and she’s already engaged an immigration specialist.”
“I didn’t say yes!”
“She’s very experienced, I’m told.”
“I don’t care.”
“And extremely optimistic regarding your position.”
“Then I’ll hire her.”
“You’d have to find her first.” He smiles like the devil. “She generally deals with oligarchs and the ultrawealthy. She keeps a very low profile.”
“You mean she works for the corrupt. I guess she must if she’s working for you.”
“It means she works for those who have the means,” he replies without bite. “I hope you have a heavy piggy bank if you want to retain her services yourself.”
“You are such a—”
“All in all, her fees are well worth it, especially as she’s confident your visa doesn’t have to be dependent on a relationship with me.”
“Except where you want meto lie.”
“Yes.” His voice is clipped. All business.
“What is it that makes you want to grind Mitchell’s nose into the dust so bad?”
“You say that like you find it unappealing.” At the mention of Mitchell’s name, he rakes a hand through his hair, leaving a wave of dark furrows. “For God’s sake, Eve, we should be united—Mitchell Atherton fucked us both.”
“My revenge is to move on and live my life well,” I choke out, shocked by his sudden vehemence.
“You call living in a house shared with strangers, waiting until that bastard feels like giving back your belongings ‘living well’?”
“None of this has anything to do with you.”
“Fifty thousand, and I’ll pay for the beagle’s ACL repair, plus the surgery of any other needy animal.” I open my mouth, but he cuts me off. “And medical bills for any and all animals admitted to the sanctuary for the next twelve months.”
“It’s still bribery.”
“I don’t know whether to commend or pity you for your convictions.” He slides his phone from his pocket, throwing it to mewithout warning. I grab it, instinct taking over for logic, because I should’ve let it tumble to the floor.
“What’s this?”
“Look at it.”
I glance down—a mistake—the screen reacting to the accidental brush of my thumb. Shock immediately twists under my breastbone at a flash of Mitchell’s face and a heading that seems somehow familiar.A Little Bird.“No.” I thrust out my arm. “I don’t want to.”
“Come now, Eve. Willful ignorance never helped anyone.”
Chapter 15
EVIE
A Little Bird Told Us ...
What the flock!
The cheating groom of the Pulse Tok Shoreditch saga is none other than Mitchell Atherton, a contestant of the 2015 dating showMillionaire Mates!
