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Candace's cold touch sent a shiver down Mitch's spine. She told herself it wasn't genuine. Yet the longer she existed in this mindset, the more she responded to certain things Candace did – from her wicked looks, her possessiveness, and the covert touches that dotted Mitch's skin when they were alone. For the brightest second, Mitch wished this were someone else entirely. Even if not Vanessa, then at least not a complete monster.
Vanessa…
“I think we'll have a lot of fun tonight.”
Those words pressed directly into Mitch's ear, a kiss lingering on her cheek as Candace pulled away.In any other circumstance…Mitch would be ready to make the most of the night.
Rose was on the other side of the door.
“Ms. Lister?” Her voice was urgent enough that Candace immediately addressed the only maid allowed near this room. “You have a guest.”
“I'm not receiving anyone else tonight. Turn them all away.”
“But, Ms. Lister…” Rose bent her head until she saw Mitch by the desk. “Forgive me, it's Vanessa Richards.”
Mitch's heart stopped.
“She's quite irate and refuses to leave. It's about… Ms. Cruise.”
Candace thanked her for the alert before closing the door. When she turned around, bracing herself against the handle, Candace said, “I suppose it's time we deal with this, huh?”
Mitch didn't say anything. She didn't move.
“Let's get ready to accept our first guest as a happily married couple.”
No, Mitch did not like the sound of that.
Chapter 26
Thebasement.Ofcourse,Vanessa was finally allowed to meet them inthe basement.No windows. No light. No fucking egresses.
Nevertheless, she held her head high as she followed a maid from the receiving parlor down a tight flight of stairs. There was more than Candace Lister's dungeon where she hosted the occasional party and did God knew what with her employees. There was an entertainment den, complete with a pool table and a large-screen TV. There was a bathroom with a shower and tub. And rooms. Plenty of windowless rooms with beds and sofas. Some of them with only bars for a door.
What kind of sick freak…
But of course it was the BDSM dungeon where Vanessa was finally welcomed, after waiting in the parlor for the most agonizing hour of her life. From the moment she arrived, she knew she was the unwanted outsider only here to cause trouble… yet as soon as she heard that Candace and Mitch were back in town, there was no question.
She would go… to reclaim the woman that rightfully belonged to her.
The maid stopped short of the door leading to a side room. Vanessa didn't thank her. She merely passed the sofas and bondage bed where she had first entertained the sick and demented woman who had caused so many people, including Vanessa, undue suffering.I should have never been sucked into this.She should have stood more in Mitch's way when it came to meddling with Candace Lister's social circle. Taking on the legal threats against her from law enforcement was better than this any day of the week.
Vanessa squared her shoulders and kept her chin up as she walked through the door, where she met Candace Lister. Mitch was nowhere in sight.
“Vanessa…” Candace sat on a low couch lining the back wall. Her feet were propped up on a coffee table, a large, black tablecloth touching the carpet. An air conditioner kept the room cool, but the lights were barely on. It was Candace with her blue dress, dangling diamond earrings, and a sparkling tiara on her brow that marked her spot. Vanessa was lost to the shadows, and her eyes refused to adjust. “So nice of you to drop by. What can I do for you?”
She played a risky game with a woman wronged. “Where is Mitch?”
“Haven't you heard?” Candace's ankles remained crossed atop her coffee table, but her feet rocked back and forth, stiletto heels drawing circles in the air. “She's moved on.”
“I know she's here. Where is she?”
“Oh, Vanessa. I know it's hard when your dearest love leaves you for someone stronger. I don't judge you for being upset. You have to understand, though, that I had nothing to do with it.” Her legs swept across the table. “I was as surprised as you, perhaps. Because it's not every day the most covetable woman in America comes to my home and asks me to make her mine.”
You bitch.Candace was loving every second of this, and Vanessa could not let it get to her. Deep down, she knew that Mitch did this on behalf of the investigation and not because she truly wished to abandon her partner. Yet how could Vanessa think rationally when facing the woman at the center of their scam?She's the eye of the hurricane, and I'm the lone tree that stands between the sea and the mountain.Vanessa had to stay in character, too. Which was perhaps a lot easier for her because she wanted nothing more than to grab Mitch and run.
Wherever she was.
“What's it like, really?” Candace braced herself against her lap, hand animatedly moving before her face as she spoke. “I've never had a woman leave me so… like that. Honestly, the idea is unfathomable. I've always prided myself on being an example to other women. There's a reason I was single for so long, and it's because I don't bother with a girlfriend I'm not 100% certain I can make mine.” Her devilish grin sliced right through Vanessa's mental shield. “Like Michelle is mine now.”
