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“As if you had a choice.” Reaching into my makeup drawer, I selected the perfect shade of lipstick, applied the color, pursed my lips, and returned the tube to its spot.
“You’re seriously going to bail? On the night we’re supposed to announce our engagement?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely. Though I do have to say, you look quite edible. Well, if I was into the runway, polished vibe.”
He wore a custom-made white and black tuxedo and had his hair slicked back in a way only he could pull off. I called his look “rebel tycoon.” Neil found my label less than amusing. In his opinion, cover models had titles like that, not spy agency directors.
“I’m very familiar with the fact that your tastes run to the underground, edgy type, even if they come in a three-piece suit.” Neil gave a dramatic sigh. “As a director, you know this isn’t how you’re supposed to run things. You can’t change plans at the last minute due to personal reasons.”
My stomach clenched, and a wave of nausea coursed through me with the idea of wearing a ring given to me by anyone other than— Nope, not going there.
I checked my makeup one last time before walking into my closet for the shoes to go with my gown for the night.
“As a director, I can alter course as I see fit.”
“It’s because of King, isn’t it?”
I glared at Neil through the open door. “There is nothing between him and me. That’s over.”
Since that night in the penthouse, all communication and interaction had stopped. He wanted something from me I couldn’t give. Distance was the best solution.
“You agreed that, after the old man sang his uninformative song, the engagement was the most logical next step.” Neil adjusted his pose on the sofa to keep me in his line of sight. “The sooner we announce our marriage plans, the sooner Shah throws us the party and his close friends from overseas gather for us to apprehend.”
Not saying anything, I slid my feet into my stilettos.
“Talk to me. I’m one of the few people who understand complicated relationships. My better half took an assignment on a different continent because I fucked up.”
“I don’t have time for this. I have a job tonight.”
“If I show up without you, it will cause problems. The news outlets are reporting about it.”
“I can’t, Neil.”
“Why? Give me the reason, and I won’t ask again,” he pressed, propping his forearms on his knees and holding my gaze. “Or is it that you haven’t even admitted it to yourself?”
I tightened my lips to keep from spilling my thoughts—too many things stirred inside me. Not only had my snooping revealed so many secrets, but it also revealed Sam wasn’t Sara Shah’s oldest grandchild and heir to her fortune. It was Neil.
Sam and Neil were brothers, half-brothers. No way in hell would I consider a pretend engagement with Neil.
It all felt like a Greek tragedy, but we were all Indian.
“I know the truth, Devani.”
Instead of responding, I gave Neil a blank stare.
“It’s okay to admit how you feel about King.”
Oh. He meant he knew the truth about Sam.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “There is only one person’s ring I’d ever consider wearing, and the possibility of that is nonexistent.”
“Why?”
“Because what I am and what I plan to do makes it impossible.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“No, you have no clue what I’m talking about.”
