Page 88 of A Queen and HER Bad Boy
Not a surprise, the snake! If they weren’t surrounded by Tirreoy’s glittering elite, she’d show him exactly how she felt. “You’d better spit out what you’re saying, Dimitri. I have no time for these word games.”
He blinked, looking only mildly surprised at her sudden show of spirit. “Only that you have been lonely as of late…” She gasped in return, though he didn’t confirm her worst fears of being forced into a marriage of inconvenience with him, he had a way of beating her over the head with his disgusting threats. “Don’t expect any help from your present husband in these matters. He seems… happy.”
Following his gaze, she turned and felt her heart sink to her toes. There, spinning gracefully across the dance floor, was Achilles with Charisse in his arms. Oh c’mon, Achilles, you sure didn’t waste any time!The first notes of a waltz had only just started, and he held the blonde American heiress close, showing the world exactly how little his promises meant to his fiery wife.
Despair crashed over her.
Why did Charisse have to look like such an angel? She practically floated away in a gown of flowing blue silk—all while keeping perfect posture. Those cornflower blue eyes gazed upat Achilles with obvious adoration, and he was actually smiling at her—that was the smile he used on Bris when he wanted something.
She seethed. Everything in her wanted to tear those wings off Charisse’s perfect shoulders… and the woman had information about his father.
“Just give me tonight.”
Achilles had asked her to trust him—could she not do that for one night? Bris couldn’t trust anyone! Her own father had turned on her time and time again.
“Don’t fret,” the Earl said. “I haven’t forgotten you. I will protect you from these circling vultures.”
“Why?” she snapped. Not having Achilles in front of her, she directed her wrath on him instead. “I’m not going to support your wars against Aeaea. If that is what my father has promised you in return for caging up Aggie Mnon, then the deal is off. Let me remind you that I will be Queen,notmy father.”
“I was led to understand…”
She cut him off, “Let me make one thing clear—we areneverdoing business, you and I.”
His shoulders lifted in shock, and it took him an awkwardly long moment to respond. “How unfortunate.” His lips quivered in rage so he could barely get the words out. “Accidents have been known to happen to those who refuse my… protection.”
Was he threatening her now? It was like the guy had never heard the word “no” in his life.
“There will come a time when you’ll beg for an alliance with me,” he said, “—and I do mean beg.”
Achilles hadn’t punched him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t! His threat had the opposite effect than what he’d intended, and it threw her into a blind rage. “The only thing I’ll be begging for is the pleasure of watching you rot in a cell next toAggie Mnon,” she said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I am about to become your Queen.”
The Earl’s face darkened with fury, but he stepped aside… barely as she shoved past him. She strode for one of the undercover guards positioned strategically near the exit. “Escort that man out!” She pointed, and her orders were followed with satisfying speed.
“Unhand me!” Dimitri twisted away from the men who surrounded him, his face red with fury. “I will see my way out.” He smoothed his fine ivory jacket, uselessly attempting to regain his pride and failing miserably. “Frankly, it isn’t as if her reign will last long, not after her favorite Myrdon turns on her.”
Bris spun away from him. Her fists clenched as she marched to her next battle.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Charissesmelledthesameas he remembered.
Jasmine and bergamot—a distinctly Mediterranean blend that reminded Achilles of sun-drenched Greek islands. The scent used to draw him in like a siren’s call, but now it did nothing for him.
How could it with the glimpses of tears he’d spied threatening to spill over his wife’s pale cheeks when she’d confidedeverything her father had told her? He wasn’t sure why she’d broken her silence, or what she hoped to accomplish, except to push him away. It was all he could do to convince her to give him more time, before she attempted to sacrifice herself like a tropical princess throwing herself in a volcano for her people.
“Hello?” Charisse’s voice sounded distant, like background music from another room. “Are you with me?”
He glanced over at Charisse while they danced—she was light as air, and quite honestly, he had nearly forgotten she was in his arms, her blue silk gown a stark contrast to the white and gold masterpiece that made Bris look every inch the future queen, even with her carefully applied makeup to cover her bruises.
Tear your thoughts from your wife already!This conversation was essential for putting to work those ghosts haunting him from his past—they were the key to the present. Charisse was talking about the flood. “My father agreed to help with relief funds for your people. It’s the least I can do for a friend.”
A friend? His whole body relaxed at the thought. Yes, she was his one ally in this snake pit. Once again, his gaze drifted to where Bris stood—this time in animated conversation with the Earl. What were they discussing? Judging from his wife’s wildly flailing arms, it was nothing pleasant. His hands tightened on Charisse’s waist to prevent himself from marching over and punching the Earl in his smug face. He should’ve done it earlier.
“Are you okay?” Charisse whispered.
His attention snapped back to her. The tender expression in her blue eyes was like balm in a world of chaos, and like a dying man, he scrambled to steady his tilting world. “No,” he said, then immediately regretted being so open. There had to be better ways to get his ex to talk. “How could your father think mine was ever a hero?”
He is far from that! A murderer, a traitor, a monster.
