Page 52 of Devour

Trina finally arrives. She comes prancing into the restaurant. I’ve cleaned Leo up and informed him not to say a word or even open his mouth.

“Mr. Deschamps,” she purrs. I stand and allow her to kiss my cheek and hug me what’s longer than acceptable.

“Trina,” I playfully scold. “Call me Nicholas.”

I pull her chair out and help her sit. “Of course, Nicholas.”

“I have a confession to make.”

Her eyes widen with amusement. “And what would that be?”

“Tristan didn’t call this meeting. It was all me. Because I wanted to see you again.”

She’s too vain to realize how much danger she’s in. Her fiancé is sitting there being awkwardly quiet and staring with fear in his eyes, but she’s clueless. It’s because she doesn’t care. Her only focus is that I’m sitting here giving her my attention. The man who is better looking, more powerful, and who belongs to Maeve.

“Can I tell you another secret?”

“I’d love for you to.”

“Maeve doesn’t know I’m here.”

She playfully gasps and lightly slaps my hand that’s resting on the table. “Aren’t you the sneaky one. I won’t tell her.” Trina licks her lips and her voice becomes husky. “You know, I was wanting to reach out to Maeve. We’re working at competing companies, but we don’t have to be. She should come work on my team. We could all be a team.” Her fingers curl around my hand.

“You know, I wish she would quit.”

“If she worked with me, she wouldn’t have to work so much.” I bet she wouldn’t. This woman is a snake. I don’t speak to encourage her to continue. “Maeve and I went to school together. Actually, we all did. Leo, here, was in the grade between us and her cousins. They were seniors when we were freshman.”

“Were you friends with my fiancée?” I struggle to hide the disgust in my voice with her still touching me.

“Sort of. We ran in different circles, but still always ended up in friendly competition. Class president. Valedictorian. Prom queen. Homecoming queen. For Maeve to have been such a good girl, she was still very popular and well-liked. I think having the Goodman brothers as your protective cousins helped.”

I don’t miss the resentment in her voice. I already know why Maeve was popular. Her beauty and kindness.

“Has that friendly competition carried on?”

She snickers. I don’t need her to answer; I already know. Just in time, the waiter comes out with a tray and on it are three platters.

“Lunch is here. I hope you two don’t mind that I took the liberty of ordering for us.”

Leo nods, but I can see the sweat gathering at his temples. Trina just beams at me. “Thank you. I’m sure it’ll be delicious.”

Me too, Trina.

First plate goes to me, a dry-aged ribeye. My favorite. The second plate goes to Leo, a nice bowl of soup. The final dish is placed in front of Trina.

She gags. “Wh-what is this?”

“You don’t look well? Lookin’ a little pale. Leo? Doesn’t she look pale?”

Her voice rises an octave. “What is this?”

“It’s a tongue.”

Trina shakes her head. “Like cow tongue? No. I don’t. I can’t.”

“More like pig tongue.”

“No. I can’t eat that. I’m sorry.”

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