Page 50 of Corrupted Empire

“Ah, I do apologize.” Felicity’s eyes flash. “I should have been more clear. I was actually speaking to Alexis.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Alexis bites out in a falsely cheery tone.

“I think you know who we are,” Felicity says. “For the purposes of this ball, however, you may refer to us as Rusty and Felicia Noble.”

“Felicia?” Alexis snorts. “That’s not very creative.”

Felicity’s smile slips only a fraction. Her eyes narrow. “If I were you, I wouldn’t be so keen to encourage me to get creative. As dear Rusty here can testify, the results of my creativity can be somewhat shocking.”

Kevin smiles, but it’s more like a grimace. He is a shadow of a man, but that’s how Felicity works. I remember my father, how he used to smile and laugh before Felicity came into his life. He was never a particularly nice character, but he wasn’t openly cruel until she came along. By the end, he was a snarling beast.

“We’re just here to have a nice night,” Alexis says smoothly. “Why don’t we leave you to whatever weird role-play thing you’ve got going on?”

Felicity’s forehead wrinkles, but she doesn’t frown. She never frowns. Felicity’s defining feature is her sunny smile, which to the undiscerning eye looks friendly and warm. When you know Felicity, though, you know that her Cheshire cat grin is merely the guise behind which she hides any number of horrors.

“My dear, does it not bother you that the man who fucks you every night is the same man who put a bullet between your father’s eyes?” Felicity asks.

Alexis stiffens. “That’s none of your business.”

I want to warn Alexis not to take the bait, but it all happens so fast.

“Someone’s a little touchy about daddy,” Felicity drawls.

“I think it’s time for you to leave,” Alexis snarls.

“I don’t think I will.” Felicity leans against Kevin. I’m surprised his hollow bones can take her weight. “How is Clara? I miss the little junkie.”

I can feel the anger radiating from Alexis, hot and volatile.

“Don’t you fucking dare talk about Clara,” she spits, the volume of her voice rising with every word. “You’re lucky I don’t rip you from limb to limb right here.”

“I would like to see you try, little girl. You’re nothing without Gabriel to hide behind.”

“If you think that, then you must be truly stupid!” Alexis is nearly shouting now, and the altercation has attracted some curious onlookers.

Shit.

“Alexis, come on.” I grab her arm, but Alexis wrenches herself free.

“No!” she booms. “Not before I give this bitch a taste of her own medicine.”

“I’m so scared,” Felicity mocks.

Alexis lurches forward, but I snake an arm around her waist and drag her back, hissing in her ear, “Calm down. You’re making a fucking scene.”

Alexis wriggles in my grasp at first, but soon stops and looks around, blinking. Cameras flash from every corner of the room. She pales.

“Come on,” I whisper, guiding her outside. I call David and tell him to be waiting out front.

“That heinous bitch,” Alexis mutters, stomping down the front steps. “Who the fuck does she think she is?”

I don’t say anything. I’m caught between wanting to yell at Alexis and wanting to push her up against the wall and kiss her.

I’m impressed by how well she held her own, and how far she was willing to go to put Felicity in her place. I have no doubt that Alexis would have torn the older woman apart in a fight. Felicity talks a big game, but she always gets somebody else to do the heavy lifting for her.

But tonight was not the time or the place. The whole point of us going to this event was so we could be photographed together as a happy couple. I’m surprised Carmen isn’t calling me already to read out a list of damages.

The town car pulls up, and I open the door for Alexis. She and the dark cloud over her head get inside, and I follow. David starts to drive.

---