Chapter 29
TIFFANY
Dinner is pleasant, mainly because of Eliza. The two men are brooding, occasionally only exchanging a few hushed words, mainly listening to Eliza as she attempts to fill in the awkward silence.
After we finish the most exquisite meal, they make to leave, and before they go, she leans closer and whispers, “We leave for Dubai tomorrow evening. I would love it if we could meet for lunch. Allow me to repay the favor and come to ours. Say two o’clock.”
“I would love that.”
Her warm smile is a welcome one, and as they leave, I’m grateful to have a friend at least.
“What did she say?”
Joseph closes the front door, and as we head to the library, I relay the conversation.
“I wonder what she wants?”
He is thoughtful, and I snap, “Perhaps a friend. I could certainly use one right now.”
He says nothing, and as we head into the library, I am so grateful for the hot cocoa that Mrs. Harrington rustled up and placed on the tables beside two chairs in front of the fire.
As I take one and settle into the comfortable seat, the ring sparkles on my finger, reminding me of my arrangement.
Joseph leans forward, his forearms resting on his legs as he studies me closely.
“How are you, angel?”
I’m surprised at his concern, and it catches me off-guard.
“I’m okay.”
I hide behind the mug of cocoa, and he appears unhappy about that.
“Only okay?”
I shrug. “Does it matter? I have fulfilled my side of the bargain. Business is good, isn’t it?”
“It will be concluded when you are pregnant.”
“Does it really matter if I’m not?”
I shrug, and he leans back, his dark gaze powering into me.
“Ask your sisters.”
His words tug on the part of me that is trying so hard to block them from my thoughts because they are my weakness.
“Have you heard from them?”
I’m desperate for news, and he nods. “They are married to my brothers and probably pregnant already.”
His words leave a bitter taste in my mouth because they reveal the true nature of our relationship.
“I see.”
I sigh. “It appears they had no choice either. It’s a little sad, don’t you think? Hardly the great adventure we were promised.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Not really. I didn’t want adventure, remember? If Morgan has her way, I won’t be around for much longer, anyway. I’m just surprised the cops haven’t caught up with me yet.”
“I lied.”
His words are like a mic drop.
“What do you mean, lied?”
My words shake as betrayal cuts deep, and he shrugs as if it’s of no importance.
“You wouldn’t leave the convent. I fabricated the story to get what I wanted.”
I have no response.
His words are like a blade slicing through any affection I had developed for him.
“You bastard.”
He says nothing, and I contemplate throwing the hot drink into his cold, chiseled face.
“You tricked me.”
“It worked.”
I’m stunned. I don’t know what to do first, and he has the audacity to sigh.
“You see, Tiffany, this is my world. There is no chivalry. Feelings don’t count and only the endgame is in sight no matter how you reach it.
You wouldn’t leave; I forced your hand in more ways than one because I was instructed to.
I take my work seriously and will not apologize for dragging you kicking and screaming from a place you never belonged in. In time you will thank me for that.”
I say nothing. I have no words, but my rage is boiling inside me.
I stand, casting a dismissive glance in his direction, and without a word, I set the mug down and spinning on my heels, I leave the miserable shit to carry on dancing with the devil. I’m so done with him.
Tears blind my vision as I head to the stairs, realization crashing through my world as he proves he is no better than Morgan.
At least I know before I did something crazy and actually caught feelings for the man, because one thing is for sure: two can play the game, and this player has only just learned the rules.
Now I have two wrongs to right, and I will use one against the other before walking away.
I pray that I’m not pregnant already because that is one complication I could do without.
The trouble is, in denying him a child, I deny my sisters their inheritance, and it’s only now that I realize he’s called checkmate, and there is nothing I can do about that.
Except to start a new game. One I’m aware of the outcome before we begin because if Joseph Ravera believes I’ll be an easy opponent, he’s got another thing coming.
* * *
I wake to the bed dipping beside me, and as a strong body presses against mine, I hiss, “Fuck off, Joseph. Go back to your room, I don’t want you here.”
His hand jerks under my neck and grips it tightly, forcing me still, his legs trapping mine in a show of dominance.
His words are shrouded in dark intent as he whispers huskily, “I made a promise. You will remain in the attic room, but you will not be alone. Be careful what you wish for, darling wife, because your wish is my command.”
“Then go to hell.”
My voice is strangled as he restricts my air, and his hollow laugh is sinister as he replies darkly, “I’m already there.”
I hate how my body is already waking up and screaming for his attention.
“Never walk away from me.”
His words are edged in danger, yet strangely vulnerable at the same time. He relaxes his hold and pulls my body against his side, his touch almost desperate as he holds me tightly against him.
I shiver inside, trying desperately to remain unaffected, but I’m only kidding myself. I want his body but not his mind, and so I hiss, “You can fuck my body but never my mind. All you are to me is a situation I must endure before time passes.”
“Keep telling yourself that, beauty.”
Silence settles between us before he whispers, almost to himself. “I’m not proud of who I am, angel. It’s not something to boast about, but I do what I must to survive. I would never hurt you, though, remember that.”
He strokes my back, almost as a distraction, and no matter how much I hate him right now, I relax against him, closing my eyes, grateful that he’s by my side. He may be the most complicated man I have ever met, but it’s dawning on me fast that complex is way more interesting, to me, anyway.