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“How is he threatening you? You don’t have to marry him.”
“But she does.”
We both turned, and there was the man of my nightmares smirking back at us with those piercing eyes that seemed to X-ray all the way to my shaky skeleton.
Dressed in his signature blue velvet jacket, Reynard had that man-who-owned-the-world look about him. I thought about my mother and how she had gone on about the benefits of marrying someone rich and powerful.
She’d prattled, “Think about the clothes, private jets, the Riviera in summer, a large yacht. And you can have your boys on the side.”
Were it not for Drake, I could have been coaxed into a life of luxury, but that version of me had vanished the moment Drake had kissed me. Maybe that was all the bad me had always needed—human warmth, passionate lovemaking, and tender touches.
“Rey, this was between me and my granddaughter.”
“She’s accepted my offer. And I think we can leave it at that.” His stare lingered. Like they were having a wordless discussion. “Ma Cherie is closed. And now I think we can all get on like a family. Can’t we?”
I rolled my eyes. I wanted to puke. My grandmother was fucking buying it, going on how her face relaxed.
She stood and, before leaving the room, placed her arm around me. “Happy birthday. This is between both of you.”
And that was that. The only person who could help had left me to fend for myself.
Why the change of heart?
Crisp really did have her wrapped around his crooked finger.
Chapter 18
Drake
Thepartywasinfull swing. Everyone danced to a DJ, and pulsating coloured lights bounced off the carved ceiling of the large room transformed into a dance club.
Coming towards me, Manon’s eyes locked onto mine, causing everything around me to blur. Despite the swing to her walk, I read something dark in her stare.
“Can we go somewhere away from all of this?” she asked.
I checked my watch. “But it’s only eleven thirty.”
“Just come with me. Please.” She looked like she’d been crying.
I touched her hand. “Is everything okay?”
She shrugged in that way she did when something troubled her.
“Okay. Show the way.” I followed her, ogling her curvy backside, and leaned in close. “Have I told you how stunning you look?”
She stopped and smiled sadly. “A few times. But I don’t mind hearing it again. You look pretty dishy yourself. I’m sure all the cougars are purring.”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s only one young pussy I’m interested in, and she’s more of a kitten. A naughty little kitten.” I rubbed her arm.
Instead of giggling, as she often did when I bantered, she remained stiff lipped.
“Have I done something?”
She shook her head slowly, took my hand, and led me away.
When we stepped outside, we saw Crisp with a fat cigar chatting with a guest.
She backed up. “Let’s go this way.” Manon pointed to a path that led to the forest.
