Page 27 of Bad Duke

“How much?” I ask, wondering how much it’ll take to make this problem disappear.

“10,000 a month.” She chews on her nail like she’s suddenly become nervous.

“10,000 a month?” I cough and laugh at the same time.

“What…? I have expenses, it’s not cheap to rent in London, and?—”

“Fine,” I cut her off. I’m already struggling to juggle my life without a secret, bratty little sister complication to work out. The last thing I need is for Olivia to think that Stanley men don’t take responsibility for their children.

“So, it’s settled. 10,000 in my account every month.” She seems pleasantly surprised.

“Once I have proof of who you are. I’m assuming you’ve had a paternity test done?”

She suddenly doesn’t look so confident. “Well, no, I didn’t just turn up out of nowhere, the Duke always knew about me. There was never a test.”

“In that case, Barnaby will arrange for us to have a sibling test, he’ll be in touch.” I move to the door so I can open it for her and note that she takes her time to come towards me. “Nice to meet you, bro.” She kisses my cheek before she walks out the door.

OLIVIA

“I feel really uncomfortable about this.” I stare at the ocean of bags that are covering the living room floor, all of them full of very expensive clothes that Marina insisted that I need.

“Oh, please, it's not as if he can’t afford it.” Marina waves her hand as she heads for the drinks cabinet and pours herself what looks like a straight vodka.

“You want one, sweetheart?”

“No, I don’t day drink… Not that there's anything wrong with that. I mean…” I quickly retract when I realise how rude that sounded. Despite her sharp tongue, I’ve actually had a fun day with Marina.

“Relax, you’re gonna have to harden up a little, or this world you’ve found yourself is going to swallow you up whole.” She laughs at me, taking a seat on the couch opposite.

“Now, first things first. You are engaged to a very high-powered man. A lot of women in this society will have thought themselves eligible to be in your position. You are going to be subjected to some spite and you are going to have to deal with it gracefully,” she explains, pulling no punches.

“I can do that.” I nod back at her confidently.

“I don’t think you're aware of how nasty some of these women can be. I manage Alex’s clubs for him, I see them pop up regularly. He may have been trying to forget who he was for all these years but they have been very aware of what his future entailed.” I’m about to ask her if she also manages the club my brother told me about but we get interrupted.

“Marina, can I have a word in private?” Alex comes out of his office looking very serious and I wonder if it’s because he’s seen how hard his credit card has been hit.

“Of course.” She stands to attention and follows him into his office and when he slams the door shut I swear my heart jumps into my throat. I didn’t want to buy all these things. I felt bad enough about it and now seeing that he’s mad I wish I’d have been more forceful. My phone starts to ring, and when I see that it’s Lewis I wonder why he’s calling me at the weekend.

“Hel—”

“Olivia, where were you?” He sounds mad, really mad.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean.”

“Our session today, you didn't show. I have to admit I’m concerned by your lack of commitment.” I can hear the spite in his tone.

“I’m sorry but I?—”

“That’s okay, we can schedule something for Monday after your last class.” He talks over me, softening his tone slightly.

“Lewis, we need to talk about the whole production thing.”

“Yes, we do. I want to give you a main role and for that?—”

“We’ll talk Monday, okay?” Now it’s my turn to interrupt him and I quickly hang up when Marina and Alex step back in the living room to join me.

“I have to go, some of us have businesses to run.” She throws a look at Alex, then smiles when she looks back at me. “I had fun spending this asshole’s money today. Maybe we can do lunch next week?” She places a kiss on each of my cheeks before doing the same to Alex and making her way out the front door. Both of us stand and watch her leave, then once we’re alone I turn to Alex and take a deep breath.

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