Page 46 of The Ring Thief
I give her a tight smile. “Is she home?”
Her head jerks up and down. “Yes, sir. Just head on up.”
I head for the bank of elevators, calling one and inputting the code needed for the penthouse. The ride up is short, the doors sliding open to reveal the foyer of her apartment, her decor over the top and gaudy, making it feel more like a show home.
I hear bare feet heading in my direction and turn, just as Silvia appears, her eyes wide with surprise. She’s wearing a linen dress, something she favors when she’s sticking around home, her face free of makeup and hair pulled back into a low pony. She looks like the girl I grew up with, but knowing everything she’s done, I know it’s all a mask—a way for her to hide the vapid creature underneath. Her surprise dissipates, a slow smile pulling up her lips as she heads for me.
“I knew you’d see sense,” she breathes, reaching her arms out as if she’s about to wrap them around my neck. “She was never good enough for you, and now?—”
I sidestep her, making her stumble as I put a safe distance between us. “Declan?” she asks, her eyes widening as she watches me, unsure.
“I’ve learned a lot these past few weeks,” I say conversationally, tucking my hands into the pockets of my slacks. “For example, I always thought you and I understood each other, growing up in the absolute fuckery of our families. I knew you were tattling to your daddy, but I didn't think you'd actually turn on me. More fool me, I guess.”
“I don’t unders?—”
I cut her off rudely. "Lily is everything you're not. She's genuineand kind, and she wouldn't lie, especially not for the sake of hurting someone else." My lip lifts. "Even someone like you."
She shakes her head, blond hair flying around her head. “That’s just what she wants you to think, Dec. You saw those photos. She’scheatingon you.”
I snort, lifting my eyebrows. “How could she be cheating on me when it isn’t real?” She falters, mouth pressing together. “Why did you call me on my honeymoon?”
She lets out a nervous laugh. “Declan, I don’t…” she trails off, her brittle smile falling away at my expression.
“Let’s not pretend,” I say icily, “and just say we did.”
She wets her lips nervously. “Your father was worried. You know he never wanted you to marry her.” Her expression firms. “I didn’t make you cut your honeymoon short. That was all on you.”
“No, you didn’t,” I agree easily, making her eyes flare in surprise. “Carter did, after he found out what my father was doing. Why did Donald tell you to call?”
She swallows thickly, backing up a step. “Donald saw you when you were waiting for her at the altar. He saw your face, the way you looked at her.”
“Shouldn’t be shocked that’s what gave me away,” I muse. Hatred sparks in her eyes as I ask, “She made the most beautiful bride, didn’t she?”
I shoot her a look filled with such disgust and loathing that she stumbles back another step, all color draining from her face.
“And the photos and messages you’ve been sending her?” I ask lethally. “The photosofher? Turning up at her house?”
She’s twitchy, her expression disturbed. “I just did that because I was worried about you. The way you looked at her changed. You were in too deep, forgetting what you were supposed to be doing. It was never abouther.” She comes forward again and I don’t shift away, allowing her to press a hand to my chest. Her perfume is stifling, making my nose itch. “You just need to remember what’s important, darling,” she whispers, her voice sultry with promise. “And that’s Nexus andme.”
My mouth twitches. “You?”
“Yes,” she reassures me. “Our fathers made a deal years ago to joinour families together. They promised me you’d never actually marry that girl.” A maniacal gleam enters her eyes. “But we can fix it, darling. Soon, it’ll be you and me. We’ll rule our fathers’ empires together, a true power couple. This has all just been a blip on the radar, soon to be forgotten?—”
I grip her wrists and gently push her arms away from me, stepping back at the same time. “You and I were never going to happen, Lily or not.” I shake my head. “I actually thought we were friends; that you understood what my father put me through. I was so desperate for someone to talk to, someone who got it, that I looked past anything I didn’t want to see.” I laugh, low and bitter. “You’ve spent our lives fooling me, though. Haven’t you, Silvia? Always showing me exactly what I needed to see, just so I’d believe someone was on my side. Instead, you were just their little pet, running to do their bidding. Did they tell you to tear Lily down every time you saw her?” Her eyes flicker, but she doesn’t answer.
“You’re in so deep, you don’t even see it. You’re a pawn, Silvia, someone Donald will sacrifice without a second thought. What? Did he and your father sit around, whispering in your ear about how much I wanted you? Did they reassure you I was faking it with Lily, just waiting until I could be with you?” Her throat bobs, but I press my point home. “And yet, I never showed the slightest interest in you, did I? Never gave you even a hint that I’d ever want more from you.” She clamps her teeth down on her lip so hard, I’m surprised it doesn’t bleed. “You were my friend,” I say with finality, “but now you’re nothing. You’re just another part of my father that I want nothing to do with.”
She shakes her head, eyes filling with tears, but I’m not moved. “Declan, you don’t mean that. We’ve been friends our whole lives.”
“I can’t blame you for everything,” I say absently, looking away. “I knew I needed to hide my true feelings for Lily from you, knew that you’d report back tothem, but I just thought you were jealous of someone stealing my attention. I thought you were just worried for me, as my friend.” A caustic laugh. “Shows what I fucking know, huh?”
I shake my head, turning back for the elevator. “I’m done with my father, Silvia, and I’m done with you.” I press the button, grateful whenit immediately slides open. I get in and turn back to her, giving her one last look. “Stay away from me and stay away from my wife.”
CHAPTER 22
Lily
“Was your boss okay with you extending your leave for another week?” Sasha asks curiously as we walk through the park to one of our favorite lunch spots.
