Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
“There are women out there who would stop at nothing to steal him from you, but Hale’s one of the most loyal men I know. You don’t have to worry about trusting him. But never trust them, Rayne. Once you’re officially a Davenport—”
“I’ll still be me.”
“Maybe. But to the outside world, you’ll be one of us. Then you’ll see.”
I took his glass out of his hand and set it aside. “I’m sorry she stopped seeing you for you. It’s her loss, Barrett. Hers.”
He retrieved his glass. “Don’t let them change you, Meyers. You’re going to attend all those things. You know how this world works. Mark your territory now. On the surface, it’s going to look like an endless cycle of galas, gowns, and glamour, but your life will be surrounded by sharks. Don’t let anyone get close enough to hurt you. Protect yourself and what’s yours.”
“I get it.”
“Do you? You can’t be Rayne Myers the cotton-clad townie anymore if you want to be Rayne Davenport wife of Hale Davenport. Aristocracy is a part. It’s the role we play. The moment we show any vulnerability the vultures come to eat us alive.”
“I thought they were sharks.”
He tipped back his glass, sucking down the last drop. “Sharks, vultures, snakes, they’re all a bunch of blind fucks who can’t see past our wealth. You’re lucky Hale’s loyal. Don’t expect the rest of them to be.”
“You’re drunk and you sound bitter.”
“I am drunk, but I’m giving you pearls.”
“Yeah, well, the vultures have already pecked the meat off the bone where I’m concerned.”
Just that morning I read another tabloid smear about a poll that let people vote on ten other women better suited for Hale. According to the media’s views, he was supposed to be marrying some perfume heiress from Finland. It still stung to read such hateful drivel, but I was learning not to let their words affect me as deeply as they once had.
“Hale likes me the way I am and that’s how I intend to stay.”
Barrett picked up my hand, which had been dipped and polished and manicured to glove model quality. The diamond of my ring flashed under the candlelight.
“Sorry, kid. It’s already happening.”
I frowned at my fingers, no longer covered in ink smudges or pen. My once bitten-down nails, now artificial and long.
Diamonds glinted in the candlelight as I turned my ring. These superficial things didn’t change who I was, but I understood what he was saying.
“Inside, you’re still you, but outside the world sees the affluence. In their eyes, this is what you’ve become.” He tapped the enormous stone of my engagement ring. “I wish I could say our friends are immune to the impact of privilege, but they’re not. When they say money changes people, they’re not just talking about the people who have it. They’re mostly talking about the people on the sidelines looking in.”
“Elle and I have never been rivals.”
“Because it wasn’t a competition—back then. That’s what I’m saying. Things change. Perspective changes. Look at the view, Rayne. You’re on top of the world.”
He was right, but understanding the why didn’t make it any easier to process. “Why can’t she just be happy for me?”
“Because she’s too unhappy with herself.”
I looked at him, the profoundness of his words cutting right to my heart. “I did everything I could for her.”
He nodded. “And now it’s time to stop worrying if she’s okay and start focusing on yourself again.”
I tried, but it wasn’t that simple. I didn’t know how to just turn off my concern for someone I loved longer than my memories.
He nudged my shoulder. “Good advice for both of us.” Looping his arm around me, he defused the conversation by minimizing the loss. “Fuck her. Or, better yet, maybe I’ll fuck the waitress.”
I rolled my eyes. The way the restaurant staff fawned over him he could form a harem. “Which one, the blonde or the redhead?”
“Maybe both.”
I elbowed him and his arm tightened, yanking me into a jerky side hug. “You’re such a pig—”
“Why is it every time I turn around your hands are plastered on my fiancée?” I froze at Hale’s sharp, disapproving tone.
“Hale,” I admonished, appalled that he would make such an accusation, but he remained unfazed.
Voices quieted and guests glanced at us. He was making a scene.
Barrett frowned and lifted his arm off my shoulder. “What’s wrong with you?”
Hale towered over us, scowling with dark disapproval. “Why are you always touching her?”
“We were just talking.”
“Talking like you were talking the other night?”
“Whoa.” Barrett stood and I followed. “Is there something you want to say to me?”
“Hey,” I whispered, trying to defuse the situation.
“Yeah, stop touching my fucking fiancée.”
I grabbed his arm, stunned he would speak that way to his brother, especially in front of guests. Keeping my voice low, I tried to pull him away from the table. “You’re not doing this right now—”