Page 21 of The Enemy's Daughter

“He gave a thank you speech. Maybe you should see it.” Rex opened up his briefcase, and handed it over to him.

Alaric took it and sneered at the front page.

“In fact, when I think back over the past twenty or so years, he hasn’t mentioned you once. Any chance you’ve been overreacting with this?”

“Rex, the door can hit you on the way out.”

“Ah, you don’t mean that. We’re close BFFs and all.”

Alaric laughed, and glanced through the paper. “I just wanted to say that the stock that I acquired with Macalister is in safe hands. It has always been a wish of mine to own a modeling firm. I know this is strange for some of you, as my businesses range across the globe, and nowhere near this firm. My wife, rest her soul, she had a dream, and I had hoped to help her realize that dream. As it happens, it came fifteen years too late. Macalister will be diverse. I will make sure without fail that there is a new wave of models within the industry, and that it’s not so cutthroat anymore. Thank you.” Alaric read the piece, and there was no reference to anyone else in the bidding war.

“I did some digging after I read that, and in all of your competition pieces, he rarely mentions the losers. I think it’s rather noble of him to be honest.”

“Why do you think that is noble? It’s out of respect to acknowledge the losers.”

“That’s exactly my point. The losers. It’s tacky. It’s like some kind of game-show, where the winner is rubbing it into the losers face and all.” Rex shrugged. “What do I know? I’m a lawyer who can’t keep it in his pants, with his partners red faced at him. Anyway, I’ve got keep my father’s rep ticking.”

“Your father was a playboy, doesn’t mean you have to be. Also, last time I checked, you weren’t mean, Rex.”

His friend’s shoulders visibly dropped. “You’re right. I really need to apologize to Nora before she has me booked on a plane for a useless meeting that doesn’t exist.” Rex walked toward the door, and stopped. “You know, be careful with Bella.”

“What do you mean?”

“First, this is the first time in my lifetime I’ve seen you smile a genuine smile. Second, you ever thought she could make you happy? Really happy.”

Alaric had thought about it. They were so alike it was kind of scary. “Talk to you soon.”

His friend left, and the door swung open, and then shut. Glancing down at the paper in his hand, Alaric cursed. This wasn’t what he wanted to deal with. Bella was just a damn girl and someone he could use to send a message to her father.

This wasn’t about feelings, or needs.

It never would be.”

Tossing the paper into the trashcan by his desk, Alaric took a seat. His plan was in focus, and he saw what he wanted. There was no reason to stop now. He wasn’t going to stop.

****

“Have you heard from him?” Rebecca asked.

Bella stared at her best friend and sighed. “No. We didn’t exchange phone numbers, or give a date for when we’d meet each other next.”

“Do you want to?”

“What?”

“Meet him again? Have some fun?”

“I don’t know.” She rubbed her temple. “Just thinking about it is going to give me a headache.”

“So that’s a yes. You’re pretty much glowing, Bella. Besides, he was really great in the sack.”

“He could still be married.”

“Was there a band mark around his finger?”

“No, and I did check.” Bella ran her fingers through her hair. “I don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

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