Page 68 of Closer

Elijah shoots him an annoyed look while Connor simply rolls his eyes.

Trust Brandon to find the humor in even the most serious of situations.

“You’ve been watching too many action movies again.” I point my drink at him. “Are you going to order a martini? Shaken, not stirred?”

“Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. We could all use code names and everything. I call dibs on Agent Big D.”

“I talked to Spectre. Everything’s set,” Connor says, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“I still think we should’ve gone with the exploding cake idea,” Brandon says.

“Right, because nothing says ‘subtle’ like a dessert detonation,” I say.

“Bran couldn’t be discreet if his life depended on it,” Elijah says.

“Details, details.” Brandon waves a hand, undeterred. His gaze slides past me to Gemma. “Looks like the snake is set on making the most out of today.”

Oliver guides her, with his disgusting hands, to a group of older women. No doubt he’s trying to charm money from some old biddies.

“If you’ll excuse me.” I set my glass down on the bar and straighten my cuffs. “It seems I have some fun to spoil.”

Chapter 20

Lilian

Oliver, with his slimy hands all over Gemma, makes my skin crawl. I watch them work the room, schmoozing and charming the oblivious guests. If only they knew the snake hiding beneath that polished veneer.

“God, I can’t wait for this to be over,” I mutter. “She’ll finally be free of that asshole.”

“You really think their plan will work?” Mary asks.

“It has to. Oliver is not hurting her again.”

I spot Sebastian across the room, making a beeline for them. He greets the women first, turning on his signature smile. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but the ladies are practically swooning. Then he turns to Oliver, his expression menacing, and Gemma’s eyes dart between them.

Is that part of the plan?

Mary nudges me. “Did you two talk again? After the spa weekend?”

“Sort of… It was awkward.”

“Awkward?” Mary arches a brow.

“I don’t know what to think anymore.”

“What happened?”

The memories flood back. “Uhm… well. The weekend started out perfectly. Like we were in our own little world, you know? No baggage, no fighting. Just us.”

Mary nods.

“But then…” Let’s get it off my chest. “He accused me of using him. Of trying to get information for my uncle.”

“What? That’s crazy!”

“Right? I would never do that.” I laugh humorlessly. “After everything, he still doesn’t trust me.”

“I’m sorry.”

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