Page 17 of Prey Tell
“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself,” I tell him, taking in his white dress shirt and khaki pants. Turning to the bartender, I hold a hand out. “I’m Juliet. Jackson’s sister.”
I swear I see a brief relieved expression pass over the stranger. “I can see the resemblance,” he says, looking between us. “I’m Mark.”
Looking at Jackson, I nod once. “I’ll let you get back to chatting with Mark. I just wanted to say thank you. For all of it. I don’t understand how you possibly afforded it, but I won’t be gauche and ask. The Wolverine ice sculptures were a nice touch,” I add quickly.
His brows furrow. “Oh, um, sure—”
“This is one of the nicest private parties I’ve ever worked,” Mark says, his brown eyes twinkling as he looks around. “I mean, to book out a Friday night for a private event, the catering alone…” he whistles, rubbing two fingers together. “And I’m getting paidtriplemy normal hourly rate.”
I narrow my eyes and glance over at Jackson, who is sipping his drink innocently. Bright red warning lights are flashing through my head.Triple my normal hourly rate…
One of the swans squawks nearby, and I jump.
“Oh? That’s interesting.” I glare at Jackson. “How the hell did you pay for all of this on a preschool teacher salary?” Looking at Mark, I frown. “Did he tell you that he’s a preschool teacher?”
Mark laughs. “Yes, he told me. Sounds exhausting. He’s a much better person than I ever could be.”
When I turn to face Jackson, his cheeks are pink. It could be from the alcohol, or maybe the guilt that is very possibly eating him alive right now for lying to me.
“The swans are from a private collection,” Mark adds, incriminating my brother further. “I mean, I didn’t realize the Black Rose allowed animals, you know?”
Scheming son of a bitch.He had help. Of course he did. Only one family I know would have a private collection offuckingswans.
Anger blooms through me.
“How much did this party cost, Jackson?”
My brother shoots the rest of his drink. “Don’t worry about it. Chase loaned me some money.”
I’m such an idiot. I should’ve known—everything about this party screams Ravage money. It’s extravagant, and bold, and the fuckingnapkinsare monogrammed. The swans. The chocolates. The location. How did I not see it before?
“So, you’re paying him back?” I ask hopefully.
“Um, yes?” He squeaks.
My jaw tightens and I let out a long, slow breath through my nose. “He didn’t lend you the money, did he?”
“He wanted to help, Jules.”
Truth be told, I’m not quite sure why the idea of Chase Ravage paying for my engagement party bothers me so much.
But it does.
Itreallyfucking does.
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose.Five breaths, four, three, two, one…
Stay calm, Juliet.
“He offered to pay for the wedding.”
I snap. “No. Absolutely not,” I hiss, my voice venomous and deadly.
“He’s basically family. I don’t see what the big deal is,” Jackson explains.
I give him a cruel smile as my temper rises to the surface. I know he meant well, but…
Not Chase.
