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“I’m sorry, Abi, I should tell you something.”
“What?” I’m a little confused by her expression and she sets her mug down on the table and paces across to the window.
“I was there with Jefferson.”
“My Jefferson!” I stare at her in shock, and she turns and her eyes flash with guilt, telling me this a story I need to hear.
“When you left, he was so angry. I was there at brunch and watched you walk out with that man.”
She shakes her head. “I got talking to Jefferson afterward, and he was so bitter. He told me there was no going back for the two of you and for some reason, something sparked between us.”
“What do you mean?” I’m buying some time because it’s obvious what she means as she whispers guiltily, “I’m sorry, honey, but I thought you were over. Well, Jefferson and I kind of hooked up, and this trip was to get away from Washington and have some fun.”
“So, where is he now?” I jump to my feet because the last person I need to deal with now is him and then my skin crawls when a deep voice says roughly, “I’m right here.”
I turn and see Jefferson leaning against the door, looking anything but happy to see me and I stare at him in shock before glancing back at Clarice, noting her heightened color, the guilt spreading across her face as she glances at him nervously.
“I should go.” I stand and Jefferson laughs out loud.
“You are making a habit of running out on me.”
He shakes his head and moves beside Clarice, taking her hand and kissing it, his eyes flashing as he stares at me with a hard glint in his eye.
“You did me a favor.”
“How?”
My head is spinning, and he snaps, “The fact you married that bastard lets me off the hook.”
“You know about that?” I’m shocked, and a lazy grin stretches across his face.
“Yes, and thank God was my response. Imagine being saddled with a frigid bitch for a wife, needing to get my kicks with whores because I married the ice queen.”
I stare at them both, noting the embarrassment on Clarice’s face as he runs his hand inside her dress and pulls her breast out. He bends down and sucks it into his mouth and I look away because what the fuck is he trying to prove?
Clarice is embarrassed. I can tell by the way she says quickly, “Jefferson, please, not…”
“Not now, darling. That wasn’t what you said when you entertained my friends. When we took it in turns to fuck your greedy ass while they snorted cocaine off your tits.”
Clarice bursts into tears as Jefferson rages on.
“You see, Abigail, your friend is a whore dressed in designer sin. She wanted what you had so badly she would do anything to wear my diamond on her finger and when I told her what the initiation involved, she was fully up for it.”
“Why, Clarice?” I stare at her with compassion because how could she degrade herself for him and she says almost spitefully, “Because it was hard always being second best. Watching you grab the best guy with the most prospects. The girl who had everything handed to her while the rest of us struggled to keep up. You were always so cool and detached. Never sinking to our level and allowing your emotion out. Every guy in society wanted you and when you left with a gangster, I stepped into your position and loved every minute of it. You fell off your pedestal, and I climbed up in your place.”
“You’re deluding yourself.”
I try to plead with her because, despite everything, she’s always been the best friend I ever had.
“How?” She glares at me. “You’re the one with the criminal husband and no hope of ever climbing back on your throne. If this is what it takes for a lifetime of privilege, sign me up. It’s not so bad, anyway.”
“He’s using you to get at me!” I shout and Jefferson laughs out loud.
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re soiled goods and I wouldn’t marry you now, even if my father disinherited me.”
“That’s fine by me. I never wanted to marry you in the first place.”
I’m beginning to feel nauseous, and the room starts spinning. As I sit on the couch, I glance at the mug on the table and, for some reason, I realize it was spiked. Clarice blurs out of focus and Jefferson says as if from a distance, “As it happens, you were never going to be my bride anyway. Your family has already given that honor to another, and he’s here to take you home.”
