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More static obscures the connection. Even so, I can hear her raucous, cackling laughter as if she were right here in the bloody office. “You? Married? To who? One of those mindless twats that you like to chat up?”
“No. Evelyn King.”
The silence that comes from her end is notable. It isn’t like her to be speechless. Then, “Please tell me you don’t have her locked in a cell somewhere. Have you finally snapped after all these years?”
“You’re hilarious, sister. A true comedian.”
“In all seriousness, Graeme, I doubt that Evelyn would want to congregate with you outside of the office, let alone marry you.”
“Weren’t you the one that said I needed to pull my head out of my ass and offer her whatever it takes to get her back?”
“Well, I suppose…”
“Be honest.” I shift in my seat, glowering at the night sky beyond the windows. “Are you saying that you don’t approve of her?”
“Of course not!” Suddenly, the static dissipates as if she finally brought the receiver of her mobile to her bloody mouth. “Evie is wonderful! In fact, without her acting as a liaison between us, I suspect we would have killed each other the first day we took over Atelier Noir. But I wanted her to work for you,notbe tethered to you in matrimony. You know that the very concept of marriage goes against my holistic principles, and I would never want to see Evie hurt.”
The earnest belief in her tone makes me grit my teeth. “So, you’re saying I’m not good enough for her.”
“You’re damn right you aren’t! You’re a right git and an awful partner in business or otherwise. You have a terrible temper, can’t stand constructive criticism, and the only person in the world whose company you can bear to tolerate—apart from Evie, of course—is Mum. Those aren’t exactly prized qualities in a husband. That’s not even mentioning the fact that you aren’t the romantic sort. What is this really about?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I demand, avoiding her last question. “I’d say my exes—especially the one I bought that twelve-carat diamond bracelet for—would say I can be very damn romantic.”
“Money isn’t love, Graeme,” Stella replies brusquely. “Though you always were like Father, so damn stubborn and arrogant. Oh, wait! Don’t tell me this is abouthim?”
“Father?” I grit out, feeling my upper lip curl. “Hell no.”
“You know who I mean. Him. Adrian. You’re a raging prick on a good day, but no one can bring out your worst, most childish impulses like Riley can. Even when we were children, he knew exactly how to get under your skin.”
I scoff. “Why ever would you mention him?” Though, while Stella may be flighty, she isn’t oblivious. For all her inclinations to wander in the wilderness, I know that she keeps an eye on the goings-on at the office, no matter what country she’s traipsing through.
“I know he’s in the city,” she says. “And I know that you can’t get over your childish feud, and that you blame him for Father leaving even though he spent less time with the man than we did.”
My eyes narrow at the insinuation. “It isn’t like you to be so damn sentimental, Stell. Though I will admit that you seem to have a good view as to what that git might be thinking. Almost as if… you still talk to him.”
A burst of air implies that she’s set aside her mobile again. “Of course, I do, Graeme! Whether you want to admit it or not, he is family. I won’t hold the past against him, and I suggest you don’t either.”
“The past. Like when one of his blokes got you drunk, and Alexander nearly caught an attempted murder charge after beating him into a pulp?”
She sighs, and a high-pitched yowl confirms my earlier suspicion about the presence of goats. “Look, brother dear. I have to go. It’s time for the morning repast, but if you were serious about Evelyn… I hope that you really do care for her, and that this isn’t just some silly pissing match between you and Adrian. She isn’t the type to put up with your nonsense for long. Ciao!”
The line goes dead, and all I can do is dwell on her parting words. They eerily echo what Evelyn herself said,And what if I decide to leave?The question haunts me as I stand to pace the darkened office. To be fair, she’d have every right to venture from the Royal, even if it’s to join another man. Could I blame her? No. I reckon I’m the only red-blooded fool in existence eager to flee the woman taking residence in his bed. For now. At least until I’m sure where her allegiance lies.
Until then, my only course of action is to remain one step ahead. Focused. A task nearly impossible to accomplish with Evelyn King lounging around my goddamn penthouse. When my mobile rings, and I see that James is the caller, I have a grim suspicion as to the topic of conversation.
“You asked me to alert you if Ms. King left, Sir?”
“Has she?” I glance at the clock on the mobile’s display. It’s only just seven a.m., well before any legitimate business hours.
“Yes.”
My eyes narrow as her preoccupation with her mobile last night takes on a new meaning. “Follow her,” I snap, rising to my feet. “I’ll meet you there.”
A smile shapes my lips as I stand and race from the building. If Evelyn King seeks to betray me, I’ll ensure she suffers.
CHAPTER33
evie
