Chapter Twenty.
Oceane
You could cut the atmosphere with a knife.
Honestly, I did feel a little sorry for Eve, although she deserved everything aimed at her.
This had been Alicia’s home, and Eve was here acting in Alicia’s place.
But after seeing how Oliver was treating her, like a possession, I felt a teeny, tiny bit mean.
But that soon faded as I watched confidence wash over her as she stood by Oliver’s side.
Eve’s cunning was obvious and repulsive.
I understood ambitious women, even those who wanted more than their lot in life.
But desperation rolled off Eve like stench off a sewer.
Eve believed she was the victor. Yeah, she’d beaten Alicia and won Oliver, but he was a long way from a prize, and Eve would soon learn that.
Women like her made me angry, but sooner or later, they got their comeuppance.
It was the victims they left in their path that I’d reserve my sympathy for.
Awkwardness had fallen over the table, although Oliver looked smug. We just had to get through this meal, though nobody wanted to be here.
“How’s the latest game coming?” I asked Rebel.
Happily, she grinned. “Kicking ass. The release date is in three months, and it’s the best I’ve done.”
“What number is it?” Winona inquired.
“Will we get a copy?” Dax demanded.
“Of course. It’s the fourth in the series, and you’ll love the graphics. They’re out of this world.”
“What game is this?” Eve asked.
Rebel paused. “Inferno Killers. A war world where you beat the aliens who are invading the universe.” Oliver sniffed and looked down his nose. “Never heard of it.”
I snorted, amused. That was a slap at Rebel, and she wouldn’t stand the insult.
“You’ve not heard of Inferno Killers?” Aaron demanded.
“No,” Oliver stated, clearly enjoying denying knowledge of the series.
“Dude, eighty-year-old grandparents are acquainted with the franchise. The advertising and merchandise are everywhere. You have to be living under a stone, or wilfully ignorant. Which is it?” I asked.
Oliver turned. “The game can’t be famous.”
“Ah, yes, because the world revolves around you,” I quipped and snorted again. What a total prick.
“You are being purposely difficult, and I question why. Do you enjoy being considered stupid? Because anyone who hasn’t seen the marketing for Inferno Killers has a limited intellect,” Dax stated, holding Oliver’s surprised gaze. Yeah, that’s right, asshole, Dax just called you out.
“You’re being deliberately rude because there is a massive billboard advertising the game outside Eliganz’s offices.
Not even a blind person could miss that fucker.
Don’t you ever lift your head from her cunt?
” Ryder snarled. The table fell silent at Ryder’s words.
Ouch, score one for Ryder. How would Oliver react?
Oliver was fast losing his grip on his temper, and it amused me.
Eve broke into the conversation, a deep flush on her cheeks. “The entrées are ready, shall we eat?” she chirped brightly. Oliver scowled, but nodded.
Two servers brought out plates, and I peered down. “This looks nice.”
Those around me had picked up their forks and begun eating. “This is different from what Alicia serves. What are these?” Saska asked.
“I’m not Alicia,” Eve retorted snootily. “These are roasted Mediterranean vegetable tarts with dipping sauces.”
I dropped the fork and turned in horror. “Do these have mushrooms?”
Winona made a strangled noise and grasped her throat, even as she spat a mouthful out.
“How fucking disgusting, where’s her manners?” Oliver roared, infuriated.
“Did she swallow?” Zinnia yelled as Aaron moved quickly.
“What’s wrong?” Eve demanded picking up on our panic as I leapt to my feet. Aaron was delving into Winona’s purse. He yanked out an EpiPen and flicked off the lid.
“What’s going on?” Oliver snarled, disgruntled at having the entrée disturbed.
“Winona’s highly allergic to mushrooms!” I yelled. “You stupid bitch.”
Winona grew redder by the second as she struggled for breath. Her skin was turning mottled with hives, and her eyes were streaming tears. It was clear Winona was in serious trouble. Panic lanced through me.
Dax was already on the phone, calling for an ambulance.
“We need another EpiPen! One’s not enough,” Aaron yelled. I turned to the cabinet behind us, where Alicia had always kept a few and yanked a drawer open.
“What the hell? Where’s the EpiPens gone?” I shouted.
“Oh, I binned them! Oliver said he wasn’t allergic to anything, and I thought they were Alicia’s,” Eve stammered, wringing her hands together.
“Fucking idiot!” Jude yelled.
“Here!” Starla, the caterer, rushed in as Saska and Zinnia yanked a pen out of their bags. Aaron grabbed the caterer’s Epipen, as she was closest and stuck Winona with it.
“Ambulance is on its way,” Dax announced.
“Just breathe, baby, please, concentrate on breathing,” Aaron was begging Winona.
“What was in those tarts?” Saska demanded.
“Three different types of mushrooms. I did explain…” “No, you didn’t!” Eve shrieked.
“I did, and there are witnesses. The former Mrs Kensington always insisted that all food be free of fungi. I informed this woman, and she snorted and proclaimed we weren’t pandering to Mrs Kensington’s tastes anymore,” Starla said.
“How dare you accuse my girlfriend!” Oliver snapped, standing up and launching his plate across the room.
“Easily. I tried explaining three times, and Miss Kyle shut me up each time. Miss Kyle’s pettiness and jealousy around Mrs Kensington are to blame.
Not me. She wouldn’t take advice, and I’ve witnesses.
Miss Kyle also signed a disclaimer stating that she was going against my recommendation,” Starla stated.
Sirens wailed in the distance, and I began relaxing. The second EpiPen had kicked in, and while Winona continued to struggle, she appeared to be breathing a little better. Anger filled me.
“You nearly killed Winona!” I exploded.
“No, I didn’t!” Eve screeched. “This was an accident. How could I have known Winona had an allergy?”
“Because Starla told you,” Ryder stated coldly. Ryder drew himself up and gazed at Oliver. “It was a mistake ever doing business with you.”
Oliver glared back in open hatred. “It’s you, isn’t it? You’re the one Alicia was cheating on me with.”
“What?” Ryder asked, so stunned I laughed.
“You think Ryder is being unfaithful to me? Oh man, now that’s funny.
Don’t judge every man by your low standards!
” I leaned forward and got into Oliver’s face.
“Let me tell you something, bitch. Ryder knows to keep his pants zipped and not screw every pretty face that crosses his path. He understands the value of marriage and would never toss me aside for a good fuck. Especially not for someone like the bucket crutch of a skank you’re fucking. ”
“How dare you!” Oliver blustered and moved towards me.
“Touch my wife, and we’ll need a second ambulance,” Ryder threatened.
Oliver backed away at the menace in Ryder’s voice as he stepped forward.
Paramedics bustled in, and we pushed back to allow them room to work.
Five minutes later, Winona was placed on a gurney and wheeled out.
Aaron followed, and as he got to the doorway, he paused.
“Kensington, you almost killed my wife. The most important person in my life. Winona nearly died because you fucked some cheap whore who didn’t even check if anyone had allergies. That cunt isn’t fit to lick Winona’s feet. You’re done. I’ll finish you,” Aaron threatened.
Oliver sneered. “Bring it on. I don’t need you.”
Aaron sent Oliver a pitying glance and then rushed off after Winona. Ryder moved towards me and hooked me around the waist.
“I’m going to enjoy destroying you. Hostile takeovers are what I excel at, Kensington. Seems you forgot who you kept company with. Winona means a lot to us,” Ryder said and led me out. The others followed without a backward glance.
Oliver
Beyond furious, I paced back and forth, my mind working overtime.
First, I planned to leak the information that Ryder Jasper, the so-called loyal husband, was screwing my ex-wife.
Then I’d point out how they’d turned a simple mistake into a threat.
How dare they threaten to ruin me? I was Goddamn fucking Oliver Kensington.
“Oliver, I’m so sorry,” Eve whispered. She looked devastated. “I never meant to shame or embarrass you. I threw those EpiPens because I knew you didn’t have an allergy.”
Two paths lay in front of me. Shout and severely punish Eve, or let this go.
Eve had done her best, and those assholes had shit on her before this happened.
The moment they crossed my threshold, they’d been rude and dismissive.
And despite this, Eve had maintained dignity and politeness. Even offering to wait on them.
“Come here,” I ordered.
Eve looked uncertain, like she believed I’d strike her. “Oliver…” “Eve, I won’t repeat myself.”
Eve hurried over, and I yanked her close and kissed her deeply. “Don’t let them get to you. We don’t need them or their money. I have other investors.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a ring box. Eve gasped as she looked down.
“Oliver?”
Casually, I flipped it open. Eve wouldn’t say no. “Marry me, Eve.”
“Of course! Oh God! I love you.” Eve cried and threw her arms around me. I smirked as she slid the ring on and admired it. She didn’t need to know it was one Alicia had discarded. Luckily, it fit.
Eve kissed me, and once again, everything was under control. I kissed her in return, stepping back and undoing my pants. Eve glanced down at my rock-hard cock and licked her lips. I shoved her down to blow me.
The caterer rushed past and offered me a look of desire. Yeah, I bet she wanted my cock too. I threw my head back and pushed deep into Eve’s throat, choking her. I didn’t care; Eve could suck me all day long. That was her main job now.
Starla
Oh God, that man was disgusting. Kensington was standing in the wreck of the dinner party, and I’d seen how he’d forced Eve to her knees to blow him.
There’d been fear and disgust in Eve’s eyes.
Choking noises chased me from the mansion.
Eve wasn’t enjoying that as much as Oliver believed.
God help her, because she’d need it. Oliver Kensington was a pig, and I was blacklisting him and any future events of his. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Alicia
“How is Winona?” Devon asked as we walked through the park.
“So-so, her poor face was just a mass of hives. Aaron hasn’t left her side for a week. It was horrifying. But she feels better. Christ, I can’t believe what Oliver and Eve did,” I replied.
“That was horrible. Oliver’s getting quite a bad rep at the moment. Who the hell announces his engagement after nearly killing a guest?”
“That’s Oliver’s way of thinking, Devon.
I’m more shocked at the rumour about Ryder’s marriage being in trouble because of me.
Oliver’s behind that, no doubt, to distract from what he did to Winona.
” “Oh, totally agree. From what I’ve been seeing, that’s Oliver’s style.
It’s vile. I don’t know how the hell you were married to him, honey,” Devon said.
“Neither do I. Oliver’s actions are terrifying.
He’s out of control and doesn’t seem to realise that.
That makes me scared. What if Oliver tries to blame me for everything?
” “You’re not alone, Alicia, not anymore.
Tomorrow, you and I announce Mystique’s signing with Zade, and then Oliver can go screw himself.
Oliver’s been trolling for investors to expand.
Your alter ego’s name was mentioned. Oliver’s certainly not ashamed of using Mystique to drum up business. ”
“He’ll freak the hell out when we uncover the shock reveal. Do you have security on standby?” I worried.
“Alicia, there’s no way I’d ever risk your safety. Oliver won’t get close. Although I’m sad to say, you’re going to have guards for a week or two. Oliver’s will blow his stack, and if he doesn’t come after you at the event, he’ll try to reach you at the design studio,” Devon said, turning to me.
I stepped into Devon’s personal space and leaned my head on his chest. Devon’s arms wrapped around me as I hugged him. He leaned his chin on my head and squeezed tightly.
“Oliver Kensington will never be allowed to harm you again, Alicia. He’s cracking and showing his true colours.
Oliver’s lack of compassion over Winona, getting engaged the same night, and then spreading this shit has done him no justice.
Even worse, Aaron put an end to any rumour that Starla was at fault by hiring her for some events.
Your friends are gunning for him,” Devon said.
“I know, but I don’t want anybody hurt on my behalf.”
Devon tilted my head up. “Do you think Oliver will?”
“Before Eve, I’d have defended Oliver one hundred and ten per cent. Now, I believe he’d kill anyone in his way. Oliver’s unstable, and I’m just starting to realise that,” I answered honestly.
“Stick with me, kid, we’ll get you through this,” Devon said, squeezing me.
Overcome with confidence, I smiled and rose to kiss him gently.
Devon stiffened, and I wondered if I’d overstepped before Devon swooped and kissed me back.
Fingers threaded through my hair as the kiss turned deeper, and I felt a rush of desire.
It was alien, and I realised that was because it was genuine—not conditioned.
Devon broke off and looked into my eyes. “On your terms, babe, no pressure.”
I stared up at Devon, and an emotion flooded me that I’d not experienced for a while. Safety.