Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
It’s so straightforward and obscene, a short huff of a laugh leaves me.
“Just ignore it?” I ask him with barely contained outrage.
“His time is coming, and when it does, he will suffer. It doesn’t have to be at your hand for you to enjoy it. We know what he’s done… and I know well that his time is coming.” He looks me dead in the eyes, and I hear the unspoken. “Don’t get mixed up in that.”
With a deep inhale, I sit back in the chair, considering my options.
“How long will I have to wait?”
“Years.” His answer is quick.
“Legal matters, then?” I ask, and Austin nods. The knowledge that he’ll get his due is comforting, at the very least. “And what about Raven?”
“Have her on your arm. Kiss her like you’re grateful to love her. And do it in front of everyone. She won’t care about rumors if she knows you love her more than anything.”
I nod, letting it all sink in slowly and ease the anger. Go public. We were going to do that, anyway. Might as well do it big.
This whole mess started with a fundraiser. Perhaps the way to end it is with one as well.
And Austin’s right. After we handle this, ironically by not dealing with it head-on the way I’d first wanted to, Raven and I can have our ultimate vengeance by not letting Evan or the Faulkners cast any shadows on our future together. Perhaps, the best revenge truly is simply getting to love her.
CHAPTER 30
RAVEN
“Are you sure about this?” Maggie asks from the bathroom doorway. She’s eating a bowl of cereal—Rice Krispies with a dash of salted caramel coffee creamer added to the milk—while she watches me get ready.
“No,” I admit, meeting her eyes in the mirror. I lower my mascara wand so I don’t poke my eye out and turn to face her fully. “But Dylan said this is a way for me to save face, for him to put on a show of power, and for us to move on… together. So, even though I’m nervous as all hell, this is what I’m doing.” I wave the mascara wand around, indicating that I’m getting ready for the governor’s Young Leaders ball.
The truth is, when Dylan called, I was mostly expecting him to say we needed to play it cool for a while. In the insecure pit of my stomach, I thought maybe he’d say I needed to work somewhere else or not come into the office. I know how finicky the markets can be, and the smallest problem can have a ripple effect that reaches far and wide.
A scandal like this could be disastrous.
So when he told me the new plan was a very public display to hard launch our relationship, I was confused to say the least. But once he explained PR was on board and that he wanted it too, I couldn’t say no. I shake out my hands and breathe deeply. Never in all of the racing thoughts did I think Dylan’s plan would be to introduce me as his girlfriend to everyone. I thought it was all lost or at least barely being held by a thread, but if tonight goes as he said it will, it could be the start of a dream life I never even dared to dream.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have hornets buzzing around in my belly at the thought of walking into the ball, watching all eyes turn to us, and hearing the whispers work their way through the room.
That’s her. The one in the article.
Poor idiot doesn’t realize she’s a gold digger.
And any other snide remark made under their breaths. But I’m trusting that with Dylan at my side, I can face anything. I’m going to do this… for him.
Taking in a deep breath, I remind myself not to fuck it up, and it feels like that same moment from months ago, when everything is riding on this one moment.
All the small moments play in my mind as I reapply another coat of blush I don’t need.
From ‘it’s just business’ to ‘he’s the love of my life’. Damn, that happened fast. But then again, Dylan is a power to be reckoned with, and it’s no surprise he would take my life and my heart by storm.
“Okay, then,” Maggie says, smiling at my action over fear approach. “Go with the red lips again. They make you look like you could suck Dylan’s wallet—or his soul—out via his dick.” I gape at her, and she shrugs, shoveling another bite of cereal into her mouth. She crunches as she says, “What? They’re gonna be saying it. Might as well give them something to work with. And it’s your color and it’s sexy as fuck.”
I laugh, shaking my head as I pick up a lip liner. One to go with my favorite red lipstick because she’s right. I’m going in big, loud, confident, and bold. And red is a confident color.