Chapter Twenty-One.
Cain
I read the dossier that Pax had just delivered.
Devon Harrison checked out, and I hated him for it.
There’d been a recent spate of pictures in the media of Alicia with him, and while they looked friendly, there was something in Harrison’s gaze.
I recognised it because it was how I felt when I saw her.
Harrison was in love with her, but Alicia didn’t feel the same.
Not yet anyway. Another thing I also realised was that Alicia was on the rebound.
She needed validation; Harrison would provide it, but he wouldn’t be her end goal. I wouldn’t allow that.
There was an event coming up this weekend; a major upset was in the works.
I’d heard the whispers and planned to be there.
Plus, the mysterious Mystique would be present.
I intended to get close and discover her identity.
I hated secrets and not knowing things. This was one I’d learn and then ruin Kensington.
If I could coax Mystique away from him, then his downfall would begin.
That bastard would pay for what he did to Alicia.
Alicia
My nerves were kicking in big time. I wore the latest design, and it suited me.
It fell to mid-thigh, showed my legs, and had a heart-shaped bodice.
It was black with small diamantes sewn in.
I sparkled and knew it. With my pink wig and mask, I was Mystique with all her confidence and poise.
Even so, I was as nervous as an alley cat.
Devon was on his side of the room; we’d arrived separately, so we didn’t tip Oliver off. I’d been swarmed by fans immediately on arrival and had been making nice with people. Oliver and Eve—no doubt she’d come—hadn’t appeared yet.
While I was mingling with the best of them, I was on edge and relieved when Zinnia snuck up and hooked her arm through mine. “What’s happening?” she whispered as she led me away.
“What do you mean?” I replied, sending a smile at a model I recognised.
“You’re up to something,” Zinnia stated.
“Wait and see!” I teased.
“Wickedness indeed!” Zinnia smirked
“Just get ready for a rescue. I’m going to need it!” I muttered as Oliver and Eve appeared in my line of sight.
“What the hell is she wearing?” Zinnia gasped.
“The eighties called and Alexis Carrington wants her outfit back,” Dax sniped as he approached. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Does Eve think that’s high fashion?” Zinnia demanded.
“Maybe she believes she’s a trendsetter,” I replied.
“That bitch is anything but,” Oceane stated, approaching. Several of the women were sending Eve amused looks, and for the right reasons. Eve really did look like a throwback to the eighties.
“Now all that needs to happen is I have to stay out of Oliver’s way,” I said and winced as Oliver spotted me across the room.
He started to make a beeline for me and stopped as Ryder and Aaron appeared. He glanced at them before sneering and continuing over.
“Do you believe the balls on this guy?” Dax muttered, shaking his head.
A hand snuck around my waist, and Ryder turned me away to show Oliver my back. The others followed suit, and we created a huddle.
“Oh, this is going to cause drama,” Oceane said gleefully.
Ryder released me and tutted at her, amused. “Only you would get off of a public scene happening.”
“You make me hot when you turn all manly,” Oceane retorted and fanned her cheeks. I laughed and saw a man snap his head toward me. Caine Russell’s gaze narrowed, and confusion crossed his face. Shit, had he guessed who I was? No, Cain couldn’t have. He hadn’t spent enough time in my presence.
Cain raked me from head to toe, his puzzlement deepening.
His eyes caught and held me hostage, and once more, desire raced through me.
Cain was a very handsome man, but the attraction was more than that.
Power poured off him even now. Still, I knew that there was more to him; he’d shown a level of caring and insight that I’d rarely seen. Cain attracted me and shouldn’t.
“Mystique!” Oliver’s voice interrupted my stare-off with Cain. I went to turn, but Ryder’s hand snuck out and stopped me. I paused and waited.
“Don’t ignore me! You work for me,” Oliver snapped, causing people to look over. Ryder grinned coldly and turned around with me.
“I don’t believe Mystique actually works for you. In fact, as far as I’m aware, you have an exclusive contract with her, which is renewed from season to season. And we were having a private conversation,” Ryder said, looking down his nose at Oliver.
“She’s got nothing to say to you,” Oliver sneered. “Mystique, come. We have things to discuss.”
“Any semblance of sanity is quickly fading, isn’t it? Would never have happened under Alicia’s eye,” Oceane declared.
I studied Oliver. Outwardly, he resembled the suave, well-dressed man he’d always appeared.
But there was something in his eyes that made chills run down my spine.
I was suddenly grateful for the extra security Devon had hired.
A small voice told me Oliver was very capable of violence, and I would be his target.
“I want to speak to my designer,” Oliver gritted out.
“Notice someone missing tonight?” Aaron demanded. “Such as my wife? The woman whom your whore tried to poison?”
Eve paled, the colour clashing with the ghastly red dress she was wearing.
“It was an accident,” Oliver snapped.
“One that could have been avoided if that cunt listened to advice. Such a shame Winona’s having to miss this,” Aaron continued, his eyes narrowed.
“Excuse us,” Ryder said, but it wasn’t a request. His hand slid to my waist, and Oliver’s gaze followed. Confusion crossed his face. He couldn’t understand why Ryder was acting so possessive.
“Going to spread more bullshit about me having an affair with Mystique next?” Ryder demanded. Those around us gasped.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Oliver stated, acting shocked. It was so false you could choke on it.
“You want to know why I’m so confident Ryder didn’t fuck Alicia like you claim?” Oceane snapped.
Oliver glowered at her.
“Because if she had, Alicia would never have taken you back into her bed! Ryder’s an addictive stud. Alicia would have been begging him for more. After having one night with Ryder, she wouldn’t have been satisfied with you and your limp dick,” Oceane sneered.
“Alicia was frigid!” Oliver declared loudly. “Why do you think I went elsewhere?”
“Yeah, Alicia’s frigid.” Aaron laughed. “You really didn’t know the woman you married, did you?”
“Well, she was stupid enough to believe that she was taking vitamins instead of birth control pills,” Oliver stated and puffed his chest up. “How dumb can you be?”
Aaron froze, and beyond Oliver, Cain snapped his head towards Oliver quicker than a speeding bullet. His eyes narrowed, and I wondered what was going through Cain’s mind. He’d been nice to me, and I hated him thinking badly of me. Somehow his reaction meant more than Devon’s.
“Takes a special kind of idiot to take tablets and not know what they were,” Eve tittered.
“Takes a special kind of whore to have a blow job forced on her. Was the diamond ring worth it? Starla said you were choking rather desperately,” Oceane snapped, and my eyes widened.
Wow, Oceane had no intention of holding back.
Then again, neither did Oliver nor Eve. I was grateful my mask covered my face because otherwise my embarrassment would be on display for everyone.
“Did you just admit to a felony?” Aaron quickly asked. Silence fell as the peanut gallery watched, entranced.
“What?” Oliver demanded.
“Did you fucking idiots confess to a crime? Drugging someone without their knowledge and agreement is against the law. You told Alicia they were vitamins, but they were birth control. There’s over a hundred witnesses to that, Kensington, you fuckin’ prick,” Cain snarled as Oliver paled.
Cain stomped forward and towered over Oliver, who looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him.
“I didn’t say that,” Oliver denied, stammering.
Whispers rose around us as Eve flushed red as Zinnia laughed. “Who’s dumb now, fuckers?” she taunted.
“You are such hateful women!” Eve hissed. “People don’t like you. They’re frightened of you.”
“They should be. Because we don’t stand there making a scene without having the balls to back it up. Cross us and we’ll come for you, and we will destroy you,” Oceane stated seriously.
“Eve, come. They’re clearly on some sort of deluded power trip. Mystique, I’m going to be rethinking our future.”
“Go ahead,” I said finally. I waved an unconcerned hand and turned away. Voices rose as the gossip gained traction. Ryder seemed to sense I was ready to run, and he hauled me against his side. Oceane took my other and wrapped her arm around me, crossing over Ryder’s.
“Watch out, Oliver will spread rumours you’re having a threesome next,” Zinnia said loudly as she turned her back on Oliver, too.
I could feel the heat radiating off Oliver as my friends effectively dismissed him.
Devon stood close by, concern evident. He raised an eyebrow, and I knew what he was asking.
I nodded slightly, and his face relaxed.
Devon sent me a reassuring smile and continued talking to a woman I vaguely recognised.
Eyes bored into me, and I felt threatened. I was sure it was Oliver, but I was too scared to turn around. Therefore, I was shocked when a large hand touched my back and my body sprang to awareness.
Cain.
“Would you mind if I borrowed Mystique for a few moments?”
Aaron held his gaze. “That’s her choice.”
“Actually, can we talk later?” I murmured lightly, laying my fingers on Cain’s arm. “I’m just about to do something.”