Page 73 of The Devil's Pawn

“Well, would you look at that,” Vicky announces, making a big show of looking at her watch. “It’s almost four. Guess you’re going to be late after all.”

A grin spreads across my face. When Emma returns to America, I’m going to make a far greater effort to befriend Vicky. She’s a terrible influence… and precisely what I need to survive my time as a De Vil.

Chapter Twenty-Five

ALEXANDER

Imogen’s bodyguards exit the vehicle, followed by Imogen, then by Emma. What I’m not expecting to see bringing up the rear is Victoria.

My eyes narrow. What’s she doing here? I unfold my arms and push off the car as Imogen’s gaze collides with mine. There’s a moment of angst swirling in her green irises before she squares her shoulders and stands tall. She’s daring me to call her out for being twenty-five minutes late.

A great business tactic to bring confusion to your opponent is to do the opposite of what they’re expecting. It makes them second guess everything, and a confused opponent is one easy to take advantage of. To go in for the kill. Which is why, instead of showing anger or irritation, I soften my gaze and smile at her as she approaches me.

“Good day?”

She touches the base of her neck, her head flinching slightly backward. “Um… yes. A great day.”

“Wonderful. Your hair looks lovely.” I gesture to the car. “Shall wego home?”

Her brows draw inward, and she glances behind me as though she’s expecting the real me to come forward at any moment.

“Can you give Vicky a ride home?”

“Sean will do it.” I raise a finger at the driver who’s been ferrying Imogen and her friends around all day. “Sean, please see that Miss Montague gets home safely.”

“Why can’t she ride with us?”

“It’s cool, Imogen,” Victoria says. “At least he’s not making me take the bus home.” Her eyes flash to mine, her lips flattening. It’s a well-known fact that Victoria doesn’t like my family, which is something of an issue for her considering her sister will soon be a member of it after her wedding to Nicholas. I don’t particularly care either way how she feels about me. What I do care about is her filling Imogen’s head with poison.

Hmm. Emma is easily dealt with, and she will be. Soon. Victoria is a trickier prospect. The last thing I need is her and Imogen forming a close friendship.

“There isn’t room in the car. Victoria will be perfectly safe traveling with Sean.”

“It was great to meet you, Emma,” Victoria says, hugging the American. “I hope to see you again soon.”

You won’t. I’ll make sure of it.

“Yeah, great to meet you, too.” Emma and Victoria hug like they’ve known each other for years rather than a few hours. The moment Victoria moves in to hug Imogen, I huff and check my watch. When I look up, Emma’s eyes are on me, her lips flat in obvious disapproval. I stare back at her until she looks away from my well-practiced scowl.

Pressing my palm to Imogen’s lower back, I urge her toward the car. “Emma, you can ride with Richard. I’d like tospeak to my wife.” My tone brooks no argument as I wait for Imogen to climb into the car. Slamming the door, I make my way to the other side. The second I close the door, I activate the privacy screen, and clip my seat belt into place.

And I wait. And wait. A protracted silence ensues. Five minutes pass before she speaks.

“Aren’t you going to scold me for being late?”

I fold my hands in my lap and turn toward my wife. “Do you think I should?”

“No.”

“Then, I won’t waste my breath.”

She frowns. Good. The more confused she is the better. She’ll try to figure out what’s going on with me and won’t notice we’re not headed for Oakleigh.

“Weren’t you concerned that I could have been kidnapped?”

I fiddle with my shirt cuffs, tugging at them. “I knew exactly where you were.”

“Oh, that’s right.” I nod my head. “The bodyguards and the batphone.”

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