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My mind is racing as I look over the paperwork in front of me. This changes everything. A knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts and I look up, expecting to find Seb. A dull ache forms behind my eyes when I see it’s Jane who’s at the door.
I stand. “Jane. To what do I owe this surprise?”
“We need to talk.”
Yes, we do, but not until I have a plan set in stone. Until then, I have one choice. To fucking play along.
Jane sits across from my desk, her lips pinched tight. It’s strange. When I used to look at her, I’d see the woman I fell in love with all those years ago. Now? Now I see a jaded version of that woman who is more like her mother than she will ever admit.
“I want that witch out of your house today, Kieran.”
“Her wedding is in five days.”
“That isn’t soon enough.” She exhales. “She is dangerous, Kieran.”
“Dangerous? Ari wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“She’s a danger to us.” Jane shakes her head. “You’ve been different from the moment she stepped foot in your house. Why, it almost reminds me of how you acted when we were in high school.”
She’s dangerously close to the truth, but I simply laugh.
“Jane, I think you need to focus less on the girl and more on yourself.”
“Me? What on earth is wrong with me?”
“Shall I list everything or give you the top five?” I hold up my hand, dropping a finger with each trait I list. “You’re insecure. You’re jealous. You complain that I’m never around, but where are you? You say you hate the club, but you never turn down the money made at the club. And you pretend to be sweet when I’ve heard tales of the real you.”
Her eyes flash, reminding me of her mother. “Tales of the real me? Oh, this I have to hear.”
“Word travels, Jane, and I hear everything that you do. The people you spend time with when you think no one watches. The way you treat those you deem beneath you. The men you take to your bed when you claim to be waiting for me.”
“Oh, Kieran. You stupid, stupid man. Yes, I fuck other people, but so do you. I know my place in this world and I’m not afraid to remind others of theirs. As for who I spend time with, well, that’s my business and mine alone.” She stands. “I’m going to leave before one of us says something that can’t be taken back. But before I go, I want to leave you with a secret. Something I heard just today.” She moves close to me, straightening my tie. “Your precious ward isn’t as faithful to you as you think. She was seen kissing Clayton Greystoke today at a hotel. And her hair was quite disheveled, as if they had just had a quick romp.”
I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.
Jane pats my cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
As soon as she’s gone, I lift my phone, calling Seb.
“My office. Now.”
He’s there a moment later. “Yes?”
“Were you with Ariel all day?”
“Yes.”
“Even when she went into the hotel with Clayton Greystoke?”
His eyebrows lift. “Clayton Greystoke? Kieran, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Odd, because I just got word that Ari and the younger Greystoke were seen at the hotel in an intimate embrace.”
“Kieran, I swear I have no knowledge of this. I took Ari to Jafar’s hotel so she could have lunch with Mrs. Jafar. I stayed outside, as you instructed, so they could enjoy their meal.”
“Did you walk her in?”
He exhales. “No, I didn’t.”
