Page 37 of Marcel

He had spent thenight worshiping her body and this morning had run ahead of her tosteal her client and then had gone running to his damn mistress. Shewished she could hate him. She wished she could tell him to get outof her life.

“My dear?”

“Yes?”

“I did not tellyou to be hurtful. I just wanted to forewarn you.” He told herquietly. “You know I am rooting for you.”

“I know.”Forcing a smile, she rose gracefully. “And I am extremelygrateful. I have a client-”

“Wendy and Iwould like you both over for dinner on Sunday.”

“If I have notmanaged to murder your son by that time, we will see you then.”

His smile was warm ashe rose to accompany her to the doors. Pulling her into his arms, hekissed her cheek. “You are going to be fine.”

*****

“I was on myway out. If it has to do with the Milford’s acquisition, I sentyou an email saying that we decided to get an injunction-”

“It’s notabout that. Why don’t you have a seat?” James waved ahand to the sofa beneath the fireplace. “Drink?”

“No.”Marcel shook his head.

“Do youhave dinner plans with your wife?” James asked him mildly as hepoured a finger of scotch and added two ice cubes.

“No. And I knowyou fully know what happened between us earlier.”

“As well as thefact that you went to see your mistress soon after.” James wentto sit behind his desk.

Marcel’s eyesglinted, his body going rigid. “You had me followed?”

“Discreetly. Asyou know, we have the best security team on retainer from using themyourself a time or two.”

“I will nottolerate-”

“What I won’ttolerate is you seeing that woman in some tea shop tucked in themiddle of nowhere. You are a married man, and that tramp is stillmarried to a senior partner. I told your wife about the littlerendezvous-”

“You did what?”Marcel rose, his expression thunderous. “What the hell for?”

“To let herknow what she is up against. She is your wife-”

“One that youbought and paid for!”

“Keep yourvoice down.”

“Why?”Marcel gritted. “The doors are closed, and this is a goddamnedsoundproof office. You are constantly interfering in my life! I amnot Matthew or Julia, who are prepared to be your puppet and contentto let you pull their strings. I am a man-”

“One who cannotsee what is in front of him! Nikki is beautiful, smart-”

“And yourgolden child,” Marcel added bitterly. “You think I don’tknow what this is about, Dad? She is a tremendous asset to the firm.You did not give a crap about hurting Wellington’s feelingsbecause I was seeing his wife.

You did not wantanother law firm to steal your ‘prize’ away, so you founda way to permanently tie her to the firm. You dangled money in frontof her, and predictably, she jumped at it. I might be married to her,but it does not mean I will be used. I do what I damn well please, amI clear?”

“Are you done?”

“I am, and I amgoing home.” He turned to leave when his father’s voicestopped him.

“I am notdenying that I treasure that young woman; she is an asset andincredibly good at what she does. But you are the fool who cannot seethe hell before you.”

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