Page 71 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

“I don’t know. Maybe because he followed me into the library and made me super uncomfortable.”

His focus was no longer on me as he scanned the crowd. “What did he say to you?”

“It wasn’t what he said. It was how he said it. Like being pregnant was some sort of testament to your virility.”

“I’ll kill him.”

I grabbed him by the lapels. “Hey, can we not do the whole Neanderthal thing tonight? You’ve marked your territory and I could do without the whole let’s pee a circle around Rayne spectacle.” I pointed to my belly. “Everyone knows I’m yours.”

“Exactly. So why would he say something to make you uncomfortable.”

“Probably because he sensed your father closing in to buy out his company, and he knows I work for Remington. I think he was just trying to disarm the opposition.”

“There he is.”

“Hale—”

I was suddenly standing alone like a pregnant fool in the center of the ballroom. A plastic smile formed on my face as Hale made a B-line to Xander. Women whispered behind manicured nails.

Remington met my stare then his gaze moved to Hale and Xander Landry.

I was done.

Shoving through the crowd, I disappeared into the foyer and requestedmy shawl from the coat check. I gave the valet Alphonse’s name and they called for the car.

The limo appeared a moment later, and Alphonse looked at me, confused and concerned. “Rayne?”

“Can you take me back to the estate?”

“Where is Mr. Davenport?”

“He’s getting a ride home with the other Mr. Davenport.” They could call an Uber for all I cared.

Alphonse opened the door and helped me into the vehicle. “Are you okay?”

I sighed. He was the only man to ask me that all night. “I am now. Thank you.”

“I’ll get you home.” He shut the door and I sank into the seat, relieved to be alone.

The Turkey Shoot

“It’s barbaric!” Seraphina cried, lifting her glass for yet another mimosa.

The men had disappeared early that morning for what was an age-old tradition in the Davenport family. They were off to hunt dinner.

No, not really. We had crab legs on ice, caviar, and a twenty-four-pound bird already marinating. This was just a dumb thing the boys did so they could dress like a Ralph Lauren spread and shoot guns.

“I doubt they’ll kill anything. Hale doesn’t know how to use a rifle.”

Marta looked up from the bowl of custard she was whipping. Brunch had moved from the dining room to the kitchen becauseI wanted to be where the food was. The housekeeper mumbled something in Spanish, and Seraphina laughed.

“Hasta la English, please.” I scowled, despising when they spoke in Spanish. Sometimes, I suspected they specifically did that, so I wouldn’t understand.

“Mr. Davenport is a very skilled hunter,Niña.”

“He is?” This was news to me.

“Did you honestly think there was something Hale was not good at?” Phina asked.

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