Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
It was much different from Paris.
I grabbed a seat and finally took a breath, feeling untouchable for the first time since I’d fled. I didn’t know why Grave feared Cauldron, not when he’d never shown any sign of fear of anyone else since I’d known him, but the fact that he did was reason enough for me to stay, to call this place home.
At least until I found a way to kill him.
SIX
CAULDRON
The fireplace had been empty since spring arrived. There’d been a day or two of rain, but nothing cool enough to warrant a blaze in the hearth. Now I sat at my desk in the study on the bottom floor, in a black linen shirt and jeans, my eyes directed out the window for most of the afternoon.
Hugo gave a quiet knock before he entered my study. In his hands was a tray that contained my lunch. A salad with organic chicken, avocado, and grapefruit, along with tarragon dressing. There was an iced tea as well. He put it on the edge of my desk, and set the silverware wrapped in linen beside me. “Is this to your liking, sir?”
“Yes.”
He continued to stand there as if he hadn’t heard me.
I looked at him directly. “What is it, Hugo?”
“I don’t understand why you’ve allowed Camille to become the lady of the house.”
“She’s not the lady of the house, Hugo.”
“Then what is she—”
“My whore.” I stared him down, telling him not to tread any further.
Hugo stilled, jolted by my tone. “Your companions have never stayed at the house before—”
“First time for everything.”
He folded his hands behind his back and refused to depart. “I don’t like her, sir.”
“You don’t like me either. That’s never interfered with your work.”
“That’s untrue, Mr. Beaufort. I have immense respect for you.”
Now I’d grown tired of the conversation. “This is my home, Hugo. I can open it to whomever I wish. Is that clear?”
He hesitated. “Yes. I just don’t understand why—”
“It’s not your place to know why. Understand?”
He hesitated again. “Yes.”
“You’re dismissed.”
Hugo headed back to the door, but he stopped to address me once more. “Laurent informed me he’s stopping by.”
I had a few missed calls from him.
“Shall I tell him you’re busy?”
“No. I’ll see him.”
“I thought you were on vacation.” Laurent lounged in the armchair in front of my desk, switching between his cigar and his glass of scotch.
“Cut it short.”
“Trouble in the mines?”
“There’s always trouble. But no, that wasn’t why.”
“Need a new set of girls?” He drew on the tip of the cigar and let the smoke waft to the ceiling. “We could swap.”
“I can get my own women, thank you.”
“You mean you can pay for your own women.” He gave me a wink before he puffed on the cigar again. He tilted his head back and let the smoke release as a cloud. Hugo disapproved of cigars. He never said it, but he couldn’t disguise the disgusted look on his face.
“How’s business?”
“Fucking fantastic—like always.”
“Then what brings you to Cap-Ferrat?”
“Can’t I stop by to see my dear cousin?” He smirked at me before he took another puff of the cigar. “How about you ditch the laptop, and we take the yacht out? We can find some girls along the way. You know, the old-fashioned way.”
“What’s wrong with your yacht?”
“It’s in Positano. That’s what’s wrong with it.”
“I’ve got too much on my plate, Laurent. Maybe another time.”
He let the cigar sit between his fingers, a steady trail of smoke slowly rising to the ceiling. He cocked his head slightly, studying me the way Hugo did at times. “You’re so full of shit. What’s really going on?”
I ignored the question and continued my email.
“You’ve never been a homebody.”
“Like I said, I have shit to do.”
Hugo came in through the double doors, an envelope in his hand. He set it at the corner of my desk. “You asked me to bring this to you as soon as it came in.” He excused himself again, seeing that we didn’t need additional food and drink.
I ripped open the envelope, glanced through all the results, and then tossed it in the wastebin.
Laurent leaned to the side to get a look. “Ah, now I understand.”
“Mind your business, asshole.”
“Who’s the girl?”
I didn’t answer.
“Ooh, she must be special.”
I still didn’t answer.
“How much did she cost?”
“She didn’t cost anything—at least not in terms of money.”
He cocked an eyebrow.
“Revenge—that’s her currency.”
SEVEN
CAMILLE
For the first week, I felt like the only person there.
I spent a lot of time in my bedroom, but when I got bored with that, I took a walk across the grounds, lounged by the pool and took a swim, lived like the house was mine. Hugo didn’t hide his dislike for me, but he still waited on me as Cauldron had asked.
I hardly saw the man of the house.
He was either in his bedroom or one of his studies. Or he wasn’t at the estate at all; I couldn’t be sure.