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My carefully selected words grabbed his attention. He finally allowed his gaze to linger to the photographs neatly tucked away. He leaned forward, placing the book on the table with tender loving care before grabbing the envelope. With great finesse, he opened the flap, pulling out the colorful images. I was glad to see he wasn’t immune to embarrassment, his face turning bright red.
When he jerked to his feet, neither Philip nor I were certain what to expect. He simply closed the sunroom door, taking a few seconds before facing us.
“Where did you get these?”
Philip brushed nonexistent lint from his jacket before answering. “I have my sources as you have yours. And so does Mr. Stark. I’m certain we can come to a suitable arrangement that will keep your name out of the papers and your marriage intact.”
When Louis stared at him, gawking for a few seconds, Philip continued.
“Although perhaps you’d prefer to have the people you work with and the entirety of France learn about your enjoyment of dressing up as a dog for your male master.”
The look of horror was brief but enough to denote he knew we were serious.
“This is blackmail,” he sputtered.
“Yes, it is,” I answered. “Certainly not meant with malintent.” I grinned after issuing the lie. I couldn’t care less about the man or what leaking the information would do to his illustrious career or his marriage. I only had one intention in mind.
Clearing Philip’s name and our reputation.
His anger had already increased. Now he was shaking as he shoved the photographs into his pocket. Then he pointed his finger in my direction. “You will pay for this.”
“I look forward to the honor of you trying, Mr. Visage. However, you should know that I’m privy to incredible volumes of information that I’ve amassed over the years. I also know enough people on both sides of the pond that you could find yourself in seclusion for the rest of your life.”
Philip’s smile matched mine. We were both conniving men when we found it necessary.
“Are you prepared to have your men drop the case against me?” Philip asked casually.
Louis sputtered a second time, raking his hand through his thinning white hair. “How do I know that you won’t release this once I’ve complied with your request?”
Philip used that as a cue to rise to his feet, heading in my direction. I was the one who supplied the answer.
“You don’t.”
As we left, a bitter sound drew our attention the moment I closed the door. Philip grinned a second time, shaking his head.
“You are much different than I believed you’d be the first time I met you,” he said.
“How so?”
As we walked toward the vehicles, he seemed to be lost in thought regarding how to answer. “You hide your power behind a kind smile but inside you’re a ruthless beast of a man. I would hate to be on the receiving end of your anger.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Please do. I don’t give them often.”
I laughed as I took long strides toward the Maserati.
He opened the door to his SUV, hesitating and leaning over the top of the door. “Is there any chance I would be allowed to spend time with Alexandra?”
I grabbed my sunglasses, shoving them on my face before answering. “None.”
“That’s what I thought. You Americans are all alike, possessive and not into sharing. You should learn to be more giving like the French.”
He had a way with words. “Thanks for the hospitality and the recommendation, but I’ll take a hard pass. I take what I want and I keep it. Alexandra belongs to me.”
* * *
Alexandra
