Page 24 of Owned By a Billionaire

He smirked. “Remove those rose-colored glasses, Carol.”

I began to pace again, then turned to him. “So what if he doesn’t want me?”

“He will. Most men want you. You’re beautiful. Shapely in the way most men like their women.” He paused. “You speak well and can hold your own in an intelligent conversation. Those are essential qualities for men like Harry. Old money affiliates with their own kind.”

“But I’m not.”

“As of now, you are, dear girl. Your upper-class parents died in a car accident, and a wealthy grandmother brought you up.”

My eyebrows raised. “What if they ask about my parents’ backgrounds? My grandmother?”

“I’m putting together a fetching narrative.” A self-satisfied grin formed. “One that is foolproof and untraceable.”

“You’ve got it all figured out.” I shook my head. “Is Alice untraceable?”

He nodded. “Nothing to worry your pretty head over.”

“And what if Harry refuses me?”

“He won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I’ve seen how he looks at you. Engage him in interesting conversation. He’s not a fan of gossip.”

“Mm… Nor am I,” I murmured.

He smiled at my world-weary tone. “Dazzle him with your clever tongue and offer succor in his time of grieving. That’s the best aphrodisiac.”

I was only half listening by now, because all I could think of was Alice and how she’d vanished without a trace.

I’d killed her.

Accident though it was, I still killed her. Pure and simple.

And here was this man, who by the minute continued metamorphosing from an enigmatic, velvet-tongued titan into a cunning schemer who might have been the devil himself.

And I was about to sign on the dotted line to seal my deal with this devil. I had no other choice.

He rose. “Succor him.”

My brow pinched. I’d been a mile away. “Suck him off?”

“Oh, Carol. Now you’re showing your ignorance.” His derisive chuckle made me want to throw something at this man I’d found myself chained to. “Give him support.”

“I know what ‘succor’ means,” I snapped. “I thought you said something else. That’s all.”

“Now you’re being petulant.” His patronizing glare faded. “I’m meeting Harry tomorrow to introduce him to a hedge fund manager. Why don’t you come along?”

I walked him to the door. “Give me the details. I’ll be there.”

He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You’ll do well, Caroline.” He lifted my chin. “You weren’t responsible. She was attacking you. Remember?”

“Yes. But I don’t know why we couldn’t report it.”

“Because you would not be standing here. And you’d soon find yourself locked up for manslaughter, at best. Murder, at worst.”

A stuttered breath left my dry, bitter-tasting mouth. “Could they have saved her?” I’d already asked him that question. It stalked my sanity.

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