Page 59 of The Billionaire's Accidental Legacy

“No. You thought there might be some nice pictures from the nice meal.”

“I can think both.”

“You are just as much of a con artist as I am. You said that. But I don’t think I fully realized it until now. You’re always operating on multiple frequencies. That’s what you have to do.”

He nodded. “That is what you have to do. At least, it’s what I’ve had to do all of my life.”

She fell into step beside him. “You’re not a playboy, are you?”

“Oh, I am.”

“I didn’t mean it in the way that... I mean, I’m certain you’re a slut.”

He barked a laugh. “What?”

“Yes. You have a reputation for sleeping with anything that moves.”

“Not anything.”

“Okay,” she relented. “Not anything. But the overriding opinion is that you are free and easy with your favors.”

“I am. And you aren’t.”

“Out of necessity.”

“Understood.”

“But I mean you aren’t shallow. Or an idiot. That’s a game that you like to play because it lets you be in control. People underestimate you. I get that. That’s what I do with my looks. I go out of my way to get written off as a bimbo. It’s funny. You know my sister seduced so many men without ever letting them touch her. She flattered them. Appealed to them. And she could get them to give her so many things without actually giving them anything. It is amazing what people do when they think you are stupid and they can show you something. It’s amazing what you can get from them.” She frowned. “I hate that. I hate that I know that. I hate that I think that way. I think maybe I’m not a con artist, and yet I have been forced to live as one. I like gambling. I like winning, and it has taken me until this moment to really...” She trailed off, suddenly looking worried.

“What?”

“Do you ever worry that you’re wicked?”

He thought of his father. Who had been difficult always, but had gone into some sort of darkness that terrified Ewan mostly because...he recognized it. “Yes. I do.”

“Me, too. All the time. How can you not worry when you’re so like...? When you’re so like him?”

She was talking about herself, and he knew that. Yet, he shared that feeling. It resonated throughout his entire body.

Because yes. He knew that. He knew it well. “That’s when you dedicate your life to revenge,” he said, his tone dry.

She laughed. “Oh, I don’t have the energy for that. I want to have a life. That’s what I was trying to do.”

They arrived at the restaurant, and he could see more people taking their pictures, just as he’d anticipated. He overrode the doorman and opened the door for Jessie himself, ushering her inside with a protective arm. They were then led to a table in an alcove. It was a small restaurant with only ten tables, but they were right by the window so that they could be photographed.

“And what exactly have you decided to dedicate your life to?” he asked when they were seated and assured the waiter that they would be taking the prix fixe menu.

With no alcohol for the lady.

“To being happy. At least, that was my plan.”

“Win enough money to be settled.”

“Yes. When I won the estate, I was...overwhelmed. Overcome. I couldn’t believe I’d done it. I’d set myself up for life. And given myself a home. There was never a moment when my father’s house felt like a home, no matter where it was. I was always so aware that it was simply his domain. The place where he and other criminals hatched schemes and took advantage of people. It never felt safe. Even being part of his circle. Or maybe being part of it most of all.”

“You were part of it. You’re not so different from me. Your father made decisions for you. About how comfortable you would be. About how you would spend your time. You are nothing more than a thing to him.” He twirled his wineglass on the table. “I spoke to your father.”

Her eyes went round. “You what?”

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