She, the Kingdom (She #1)(52)

“Well, they did have to replace the carpet, didn’t they?”

I breathed out a laugh and nodded. “It was a lot of blood.”

“You’re lucky to be alive.” She pulled, and I jerked, glad it was finally over.

“We both are.”

She winked at me as she finished up. “No wonder the Kingstons chose you to carry their baby.”

I offered a small smile as she left me so I could dress. Athena had been kind to me since my first appointment, and it felt wrong to lie to her. Something in her eyes told me she knew, and I resolved that she wasn’t bitter about it. We were all being paid to preserve a fantasy.

As I said my goodbyes to the women dressed in black behind the reception counter, Sophie walked in. She was startled at first, and for the fraction of a second it took for her to recover and take me into her arms, I wondered why she didn’t realize I’d be there.

“Hello my darling,” she said, hooking her arm in mine. She welcomed the gushing greetings from the spa employees, and then tugged on me. “You’re leaving?”

I nodded.

“I’ll walk you out.” She turned to reception. “I’ll be just a minute.”

“Take your time, Mrs. Kingston.”

Sophie walked me to the parking lot, not saying a word until we reached the SUV. “So good to see you, Morgan.”

Sophie was a tiny thing, surely less than my five feet, six inches, and no more than a hundred pounds. Her thin, delicate form and straight, flaxen hair was a contrast to my maternal curves and dark curls. She was younger, but made me feel significantly inferior, even when she smiled.

I pulled my keys from my purse and pressed the key fob. The Lexus blinked and beeped, signaling it was ready for my escape.

“I understand Max came to see you after our fight. Was he very upset?”

My jaw unhinged, leaving my mouth gaping open. I would never get used to Sophie’s blunt nature. “Um… I… he did.”

She leaned in. “He told me what happened.”

“He did,” I said, more than a statement than a question.

“He seems to be under the impression that I intend to leave him. I couldn’t imagine where he would get that idea.” She looked around, and then her gaze targeted me. She delighted in watching me squirm, and when I didn’t answer, she continued, “I’m sure Max explained to you why you were such a good candidate for the agreement. I would just hate for you to get the wrong idea.”

“You’re so kind,” I said through my teeth.

Sophie’s jaw ticked in reaction to my sarcasm, but one corner of her mouth flicked upward with her next thought. “Besides your obvious… financial needs… Max had his eye on you not long after we moved here. Of course, being a happily married man, you were of particular interest to Max. We both knew there wouldn’t be an issue of attraction, and once he’d confirmed the rumors that you’re unable to have more children, you were nearly perfect.”

I pulled my arm away from hers. As if the jab that Max wasn’t worried about an attraction toward me wasn’t humiliating enough, I had to antagonize her. “That’s why you’re here. Because you’re sure he’s not attracted to me,” I said.

“Have you looked at me, and then looked in the mirror? He married a tall, thin, blonde, and you’re short, dumpy, with a mess of frizzy hair. We couldn’t be more different.”

“You’re right. Your ugly is on the inside.”

She glowered at me. “I don’t know what you think is going on, but what happened was a mistake. When Max came home to confess, I wasn’t at all surprised at him. He has a history of losing control when he tastes an orgasm. I was, however, surprised with you—since you assured us that was impossible.”

I turned to open the door. “I don’t know what happened, but I’m not discussing it with you.”

She gripped my arm. “Oh, you are. Because you f*cked my husband, and you owe me an explanation.”

“I… he…” I stumbled.

She saw my weakness and pounced. “Was it everything you’d hoped for, Morgan? You didn’t realize he’d come home and confess to me, his wife, the woman he loves? Max worships me. He has since the moment we met, and he would do anything to keep me. That includes taking away everything he’s given you—even what you’ve already spent.”

Her threat made my blood boil. I’d held up my end of the bargain. I refused to be bullied. “Is he still? Your husband?” I asked.

She straightened and blinked, taken aback. “Excuse me?”

“I’ve seen you at the attorney’s office twice now. With… what is his name? The man whose face I saw you caressing in your G-Wagon?”

“What are you babbling about?” she asked, her mouth twitching.

I leaned toward her. “I know what you’re planning. I know what you’re doing. And, if I were you, I’d be careful about who I threaten.”

Sophie seemed to want to say more, but thought twice. I ducked into my Lexus and pulled away. Less than a mile down the road, the first tears began to well up in my eyes, and my body began to shake as the salty droplets streamed down my cheeks.

I drove straight home, unsure if Max would show up, or if Sophie would go home and demand that he ruin my life as they so easily could. I’d put my cards on the table, and all I could do was wait.