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“Your brother offered me the Cyprus port free and clear.”
Confusion flashed on her face. “Okay. Why is that a bad thing? That was the long-term plan, anyway.”
I moved to the windows in the back of the room to put distance between us and then faced her.
“It means your brother fulfilled his portion of our agreement early. Now all that’s left is to play out the terms of the engagement contract.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, this. You and me.” I gestured between us while swallowing down the rancid lump forming in my throat. “It’s over. You’re free.”
“W-what?” She braced her hand on the back of the fabric-covered chair.
“You heard me.”
“So, all of this was about the port?”
“Yes.”
“Bullshit.” She clenched her jaw. “What was all that about keeping me whether I wanted to stay or not? What was all that about burning down the world for me?”
Shit.
“You shouldn’t read too much into it. A man will say anything when he’s balls-deep in a woman’s cunt.”
“And the war with your uncle and his allies. You changed everything because they came after me.”
“Don’t romanticize events. It was a strategic change of plans.”
She flinched. “Again. Bullshit. That’s not what happened, and you know it. Explain to me what you meant when you stated only I would ever wear this ring.”
She lifted her left hand.
I turned toward the window, gripped the back of my neck, and prepared to become the bastard my grandfather had raised me to be.
Fuck, I hated myself at this moment.
Shifting to look in her direction, I kept my face emotionless as I said, “You couldn’t possibly believe I’d change my mind about marrying you. You knew who I picked from the beginning. You aren’t her. This was all about sex. Fucking to pass the time.”
The starkness in her onyx eyes told me I’d landed a direct blow, though the expressionless mask she wore would have made anyone else believe otherwise. Anyone who hadn’t seen every facet of her, from utter joy to raging anger. Now, I could add complete devastation to the list.
“So, it’s still Camilla, even after her father’s involvement with your uncle. After all the shit she pulled with us.”
“Yes. She knows her place in my world, what is expected of her.”
She flinched as if I’d hit her, and it took everything in me not to reach for her, to tell her I was a fucking liar.
“And I guess I know mine now too.” She held my gaze. “I don’t have one.”
“Exactly. You’re free. Isn’t that what you wanted? Well, now you have it. Your club is safe. My lips are sealed. Make a life for yourself in Vegas.”
“If that’s how you want to play it. Fine.” She pulled the ring from her finger and set it on a side table with the computer. “This is yours. Give me something meaningless to wear for show.”
“You’ll soon realize this is best for both of us.”
“Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. You won’t have to see me any more than necessary.” A tear slid down her cheek. “But I know the truth.”
“What’s that?”
