Page 99 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

Toya and Meka oohed and ahhed over dresses as Cas stepped out of the room.

One of the clerks approached Monique and said, "You have a gorgeous form. I think you'd look great in any of our outfits."

"Thank you."I bet you say that to all of the women who enter this expensive store.

"Is there something particular you're looking for?" the woman asked.

Yes, there is."A revenge dress," Monique admitted, not the least bit ashamed.

The clerk's eyes widened then a slow smile spread across her face. "Revenge, you say? Wait right here," she told Monique before rushing from the room.

Monique joined Meka and Toya as her besties selected dresses that were perfect for them. Both of her besties tried their dresses on, and Monique was nearly brought to tears by how good they looked.

Her friends posed in the mirror as the sales clerks complimented them. Her friends decided on the dresses they wanted and then changed back into their regular clothes. Monique couldn't lie, she was a little jealous because she hadn't found her perfect dress yet.

All of the dresses she'd seen so far were gorgeous. But none of them screamed what Monique needed her dress to scream. These dresses were whispering,I can make him want you back.

Monique had no time for whispers. Plus, she was pretty sure Raz still wanted her. His silly ass was trying to protect her in a way that she didn't agree with. So, she didn't need a dress that made him want her.

She needed a dress that made him mad for ever having left her. She didn't want an,eat your heart out dress. She wanted a dress that would break hearts. Was she asking for too much? Did the dress she envisioned in her mind even exist?

Her insecurities popped up and made her wonder what Raz's date would be dressed in. Before she could venture down that rabbit hole, the door to the room opened, and in stepped Cas, frowning at his phone as he strode toward them.

"What's wrong?" Meka asked, approaching him before he could reach her.

He stopped and stared down at her, a look of regret in his gaze. Then his eyes swept to Monique.Damn it. What had Orazio done now?

"Just say it," Monique told him. "At this point, I can handle anything."

Cas swallowed before saying, "Leo just messaged me. He said about twenty minutes ago, Raz met up for lunch with his gala date's dad."

Monique took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "Okay. Is that all?"

"Um...."

"Just say it, please," Monique pleaded, unable to stand the suspense.

"According to Leo, Raz and Isla, his date, may be headed toward... marriage."

Monique's heart stopped beating. When he said marriage, why did she suddenly picture a funeral in her head? Not Raz's funeral. Not his date's funeral. But the funeral that would signal the end of her love for him.

Because he was now playing with her feelings. He was taking them down a path they may never be able to come back from. And she had a feeling he'd end up regretting that more than she would.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

MONIQUE

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"Hmmm," Monique finally responded to the bomb Cas had just dropped on her. "I guess I should buy him an engagement gift after we leave here. I can give it to him at the gala."

They all stared at her in shock. Apparently, that wasn't the response they'd expected.

"Are you okay?" Meka asked.

Monique smiled. "I'm fine. I still need a dress, though."

"Mo," Toya started. "If all of this is too much, we can go home."

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