Chapter 17
Confronting
LANIE
I lay in bed, annoyed and sucked into in a see-through, useless garment, attempting to seduce a man who disappeared twenty minutes ago.
Where was Baz? And why did I bother? All he would do was pull off these pointless panties and fuck me.
The see through chemise didn’t hide anything, anyhow.
I was beyond annoyed when he flung open the door and entered in a huff.
At first, I suspected this was some stupid machismo bit, then I realized it wasn’t. He was livid about something and pacing.
“Here’s your drink. It’s not poisoned. Although, perhaps it should be?” Baz slammed my drink on the nightstand.
“Excuse me?” I scoffed. “Baz, what is wrong?”
“Do you want to be honest about the lies? Or the betrayal? Or anything?” Baz demanded, pacing.
Genuinely confused, I said, “What do you mean?”
“I know your identity because my father knows who you are. And thanks to whatever this is, now my father is committed to marrying you, as if I could ever manage such a thing! In fact, I am packing my things and moving down the hall. I cannot even look at you!”
I understood the anger, but not those words. He couldn’t look at me. That much hurt.
Baz rifled through his wardrobe and tucked into what I assumed was a stack of linens.
“It’s fine. I will go sleep elsewhere,” I said.
“What? Dressed like that?” Baz sneered. “So, the entire house can marvel at just how incredibly tactless you are? Have you already not embarrassed me enough? Does everyone need to know about how little self-control you have—and how you throw yourself at anything with a dick that moves and is willing to spend money on you? You’re good.
I will grant you that. Very, very good. I worried I might have feelings for you, but those, Delanie Delphine, are long gone. ”
His diatribe cut through me until tears welled. “Baz, I am sorry. I don’t know how you found out.”
“Father did the research. And while he loathes your mother, he finds you a good match who will tie me here. He thinks you will be a stone to punish me—and by proxy my mere existence will punish your god damn mother. Lanie, you had several weeks to tell me, didn’t you? And yet, you didn’t.”
“First, Baz, we barely know one another. Second, I didn’t know at first. Once I found out, I did have a period of—”
“I don’t care,” Baz shouted. “I do not fucking care.”
He threw pillows on the bed.
“Baz, please.”
“Oh, don’t cry your god damn crocodile tears, Lanie! I hate that you got under my skin, but I will not have it. And sadly, I must marry you! If I do not, I will be disinherited. He’s made up his mind, so we must all fall in line or risk losing the place. Bully for you! You’re now stuck with me!”
He climbed into bed.
“Aren’t you going?” I sobbed.
“After considering all of those options, I suppose I am stuck here lest I let everyone know how much I truly hate you.”
“Hate me?” I sobbed. “Why do you hate me? I came here to help you Baz. Please let me explain! It’s not some massive scheme to hurt you. At first, I did want to torture you because your father stole my mother’s estate. However, I have since come to appreciate you.”
“Yes, because I spoil you and you like nice things.”
“Baz, I can buy myself nice things! Is that what you think this is?”
“You never turn down a gift.”
“I deserve to be doted on,” I said. “Because I am worth it. I do not need expensive gifts, but I do deserve affection and the lavishing of attention. That is what I crave—not cars and expensive jewelry. Sadly, you’ve made up your fucking mind already and I’m nothing but a jezebel out to get you!”
Baz turned away.
“Baz, I cannot fake this with you. I cannot pretend everything is fine.”
“You’re an actress. It’s your job,” Baz said, voice low and monotone.
“Baz, this isn’t an acting job. This is my actual life. It’s my reality. Marriage is no joke. It involves a lot of liabilities.”
“Yes, because you are the type of girl who wants to play happy families, aren’t you?” The words dripped sarcasm. “Lanie, this is all a game to you and you’re only sad you lost.”
“No. These are my real feelings, Baz—feelings I suspect you have for me, too. And… I don’t want to be shackled to a man that hates me. Especially one who no doubt is bright enough to design an iron-clad prenup that will leave me reeling when you desire to leave me for someone else.”
“You go right for the money. That is all you care about, clearly!”
“That is not true. The truth is, I want to be happy. I want to be free to love a person who loves me. And I want to have children with that person when the time comes. I crave that, in fact. You can tell yourself I’m in inconsequential, soulless whore but I am a person, Baz.
A person you pretended to care about until now! ”
My voice vibrated. I flipped onto my side and closed my eyes.
I wanted to be sick. I needed to scream.
Instead, all I could do was sob and move far to the edge of the bed.
I was only half an inch from falling. He had a right to be angry with me, but he had no right to reduce me to this low status.
I’d not meant to hurt him this time. I wanted to help.
And here he was casting aspersions. It was all too much.
I wanted to go home to London once morning hit.