Page 42 of Enemies

I extend a hand, which he takes. That’s their cue to leave, and they depart.

“Let me guess,” Christian says, accepting a fresh drink from a waiter once the other guests have pulled the library doors closed behind them. “You’re here to talk about football?”

“I’ll leave that to my brother. No, I’m here to remind you that you’re going to sell me La Mer.”

He sighs. “Harrison… I’ve known you for two decades. Ambition has always been a strength. But as an old man, I’m telling you to find other things in your life. My children are my joy now. Did you meet my Sylvie?”

I mentally scan the faces from the party, vaguely recalling a pretty young woman who greeted us near the door. “Yes. Lovely.”

“She is. My other children are settled, but I worry for her.”

“The young have a way of surprising you. She’ll find her way.”

I glance out the window and spot the glowing orange dress, Rae’s dark hair in waves around her shoulders.

It’s refreshing to see her without a costume beyond the dress I chose for her.

But as she trips down the steps, alarm has my abs clenching.

Christian follows my gaze, making a sound of muffled surprise. “Perhaps we should finish this conversation another time.”

No. We should finish it now.

But as Rae reaches the curved driveway, my feet won’t cooperate.

“One moment.”

I head out to the hall, pushing through the crowds and ignoring anyone who tries to stop me.

Ash steps in front of me before I reach the front doors. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what? Tell my date she should stay until the end of the party?”

“She said she wished she hadn’t come.”

A sharpened spear sneaks under my ribs.

I shouldn’t fucking care what she thinks, but I’m angry. She said she’d come with me, and she’s turning her back on me at the first opportunity.

I shove past Ash and take the steps two at a time.

“Raegan.”

She turns, and I soak her in. This time it’s not the way she looks in that dress, though she’s stunning. It’s the expression on her face—hurt and disappointment.

Words always come easily, but now I’m reaching for them. “What happened to your shoes?”

She blinks up at me, ignoring the question. “The woman inside. Your ex, right?” Surprise slams into me, but she continues. “You could’ve brought her. It looked as if she would’ve been more than happy to come with you. Or leave with you.”

My mind races to process her frosty tone, settling on something as fascinating as it is improbable.

Is she jealous?

Raegan Madani? The woman who ruined her career to score a few points on me?

The possibility fucks me up in the best way.

“I get that the only reason you hired me was to play your club and make back what I cost you,” she goes on, and her dark eyes are big enough to swallow me whole. “But you do not get to dress me up and drag me here and use me like this.”

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