Page 15 of Queen Of Dark Money

Ohboy, and so it begins.

Theelite were all about image, and of course,Iwasn’t some size zero like my sister.Forall that we’d lived vastly different lives, we were similar in size, thankfully.Butone of us had grown up on caviar and kale, and the other on red beans and rice.Mymother had ensuredInever went hungry, even if my meals consisted of carbs upon carbs at times.

Bodyshaming was an old nemesis.OneI’dbecome acquainted with over the years from girls at school who thoughtIwas ‘fat’ or ‘chubby’, who thought popularity was something to be gained with a tiny waist and a white smile.Well, joke’s on them.Popularityoutside of school was all about who you knew or what you were willing to do for the right price.Andmost of them were good for nothing more than being arm candy, a trophy wife.Nomeritorious skills, no trades learned, just mindless bimbos with legs to spread and kids to pop out.Ahefty bill for a personal trainer they were banging on the side, all to keep that pre-baby body so their husbands wouldn’t dump them for a secretary in another ten years.

Whata fucking life.

EddySinclairdusted his pants as if he had some invisible dirt on them, all pretenses forgotten. “You’vegot a week to get it in gear and learn how to be your fucking sister before you need to make an appearance with me.TheSenatorinvitedCaitand myself to a dinner in honor of his own re-election, and the networking to be done at this event is immeasurable.Ican’t miss it, and neither can you.You’dbetter be ready.”Hewaved his hand dismissively atAnnieand me, his nose already searching for the nearest cloud to perch on. “Anniewill prepare you and see to any needs you may have.Thechef has a meal plan in place for you for the duration of your stay.I’veapproved it myself, and any changes must go through me first.”Heturned and gave me his back, a move that was designed to dominate but failed miserably when you were used to having doors slammed in your face and backs turned on you. “Anyquestions beforeIreturn to my more important obligations?”

“Whathappens ifI’mnot ready in a week?”

Hiseyes cut over one shoulder, almost as if he were stunnedI’ddared to ask a single thing. “Youwill be ready in a week.Thereis no other option.”

“Andwhat doIdo whileI’mhere?”

Hegestured around to the room we were in. “Whateveryou want, as long as you do it inside this apartment.”

Igestured to my bag, a hopeful glint in my eye. “Youguys got wifi here?”

“Anniewill make sure you have all the access you need.Butremember, you have anNDAto sign, and that includes letting anyone know you’re in this city.”

“NotlikeIhave anyone to tell,”Igroused, letting my usual attitude get comfortable and settle in as the status quo was made painfully clear.

“Anniewill keep me appraised of your progress.Iexpect to see results soon.”

Andwith that, the man who’d sired me, who’d fucked my mother and created me, then took my other half and ran off, leaving us in the dirt, walked out of my life yet again after doing what most men in his position did to women in their lives–set ridiculous goals, dominated their life, and made their decisions for them.

Iturned toAnniewith a grin and a hopeful extended hand. “So,Annie, where do we start?”

CHAPTER SIX

JASPER

Ihated public affairs.Hatedthem.Thewhole lot of these uppity events were geared toward snobbish folks with more money than they knew what to do with, throwing their loyalties around for money they’d need a second lifetime to spend.TheSenator’sdinners were no different.Ionly went out of an obligation to my sister, who’d married into this fucked-up life of political subterfuge.Sometimes, she was good for some inside intel, too.

Samanthawas nothing if not self-preservatory.Andif there was anything worth knowing, her ears were piqued and her eyes were open.

Speakingof–

“Ah, soIsee you managed to make it to the shindig after all.Iwas afraid we’d have to claw you out of the dregs of your jewelery store to convince you to make an appearance.”

Mysister ran her perfectly manicured nails across my shoulder, reminding me of talons as they affectionately scraped the sensitive skin at the base of my neck.Shiversran down my spine, but she either didn’t notice or didn’t care as she continued her ministrations, those cold, dead eyes of hers mirroring myown as the fake smile she’d paid thousands for blinded me in its intensity.

Ishrugged off her touch and stepped an inch or two away, hoping she took the hint. “Samantha.Hownice to see you again.Theseget-togethers are so few and far between lately; it’s as if we live completely separate lives.”

Herquirked brow was the only indication she gave that she wasn’t buying my shit.NotthatI’dexpected her to. “Sure, let’s go with that.Mother’sin the next room,Jasper; surely you want to go say hello?”

Ididn’t particularly care for our stepmother, butI’ddone such a good job acting likeIdid that people genuinely thoughtIhad feelings for the woman.

“Perhapsyou could take me to her.Iwould hate to keep mommy dearest waiting.”

Iperformed the obligatory greetings and small talk, seething inside thatI’dbeen forced to run interference at such a high-profile event.Theatmosphere was stuffy, and whileIwas at home rubbing shoulders with the wealthy elite, thanks to my businesses,Ihad no desire to do so voluntarily.Tomake matters worse, there wasn’t enough free-flowing booze here, and getting drunk off my ass to avoid social interaction would be frowned upon.

Iwas here to scope out the lovelyMissSinclairbecause our bosses had a plan to involuntarily relocate her into our care.Itprobably behooved us to know something about her.So,Idecided to attend the event this week and put eyes on our soon-to-be captive.Ourliving ransom pawn.

Acog in the wheel that was our business venture.

Sofar,MissSinclairand her father had failed to make an appearance, but we had it on good authority he wouldn’t miss this event for the world.Evenafter the recent threats against him and his kin, he couldn’t afford to let the world know thatthe great and boisterousEddySinclairhad a weakness.Tohide her away would be to confirm her importance and open him up to attacks from all sides.Everyenemy he’d ever made would immediately know who to target to cause him the most damage.

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