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“Dragging me into the VIP room at Ecstasy, saying things to me, and making me feel things. You were just playing me. Doing what you always do.”
“Oh, no, don’t put this shit on me, or did you forget how you conveniently left out the part where you were engaged. You were just acting like a little cock tease. Doing whatyoualways do.”
She gasped at his cruel sneer, hating the way he threw her words back at her, but forced herself to breathe steadily. “You got over it. Not ten minutes later, I found you with some stripper grinding all over you, so why aren’t you with her now?”
“That was nothing. I didn’t even know you were standing there.”
“And that makes it all better? It’s always some kind of twisted game for you. Lead me on against my will; then, you drop-kick me to the curb when I’m fully invested.”
“What? Fuck, no. Nothing ever happened against your will.”
His emphasis on the wordeverrang clear in her head, and he was right. Whether it was ten years ago or today, she went willingly, which made it so sad and scary. Lisbeth had no self-control when it came to him.
She threw her arms up. “If anything, I can’t believe I was so stupid to fall for your tricks all over again.”
“I don’t need tricks, babe.” Samson flashed his cocky grin, and her hand twitched at her side.
“Right, 'cause it’s so easy for you to make me fall for your lines and think we might have something.” She bit her lip against the pain and hurt growing inside her. “I stupidly believed I could trust you.” She glared up at him.
Samson’s face tightened, and his eyes narrowed. “Madeline told me that when you came back to the club, you were gonna tell me how you felt. Is that even true?”
Madeline meant well, but she didn’t know the relationship between her and Edward. For that matter, Madeline didn’t even know Lisbeth well. She’d gotten caught up in the hype, but seeing Samson with that stripper and his anger and attitude now made it all clear.
“At the time, yes.” She huffed out a breath. “Then, as usual, you showed your true colors.”
“How come you never mentioned you were connected to the Monroes and Nightlife Magic, conveniently leaving out who your soon-to-be in-laws were when you came to the club for our meeting?”
“I’m not going to deny the Monroe’s helped me get my business to the next level and sent many influential clients my way over the years, but I don’t go into a new job throwing their name around. I like to get accounts on my own merits.”
“You’re own merits, huh? Sounds impressive until you look at who the Monroes really are and what they’re all about.”
“What they’re about is being a very well-respected California family dating back to the beginning of the last century.”
* * *
“Their political ties are unshakeable, and Edward entertained a political career before joining his father at Nightlife Magic. Edward’s grandfather worked at MGM as Louis B. Mayer’s assistant. Then he opened a talent agency, which his father, Alex, expanded, making Nightlife Magic one of the biggest promotional hospitality companies in the world. His notoriety is right up there with the Co-CEO of the Tao Group.”
“That’s quite a commercial.”
“It’s all true for anyone to see. Just Google Alex or Nightlife Magic.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it says exactly that, but it’s all a bunch of fuckin’ lies.”
“They most certainly are not lies.”
Samson slowly shook his head. “Ahhh, shit.” Then turned away from her. “You have no fuckin’ clue.” No way she could fake the honesty and integrity in her voice. They’d fooled Lisbeth just like they scammed everyone else they dealt with in business.
“No clue about what?”
Samson spun back and pointed to the couch. “You better sit down.”
She eased onto the couch, her eyes never leaving Samson’s as he sat beside her. “You have no idea who the Monroes are, do you?”
“What are you talking about?” Lisbeth hugged the throw pillow to her chest like some imaginary shield.
“There’s another side of the Monroe family they keep very well hidden.”
“You must have them confused with someone else.”
