Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(95)

However, he definitely looks on edge tonight. I wonder if he’s heard whisperings of discontent or he knows what’s about to go down. Everyone involved understands the need for secrecy, but the bastard has ways of uncovering the truth.

On this occasion, I hope we’ve completely hoodwinked him as I want to watch the realization dawn on his face when the revelations start hitting.

“Want another drink?” Charlie asks when he finally breaks free of conversation with a short, stocky man sporting a trimmed mustache and a leering expression every time he glances my way.

“I’ll just have a water,” I reply. There is no way even a drop of alcohol is touching my lips around this place. He walks me over to where Drew and Shandra are chatting with Rick and Isabella. Kai is with Giselle over on the far side of the room, huddled in a group with Atticus and several men, loudly conversing. His back is to me, and I’m sure he’s desperate to check up on me, but we both agreed neither of us would take any risks this weekend.

“Stay here,” Charlie says. “I’ll be back.” He hasn’t left my side all night, and despite his lack of response in the limo earlier, I know Charlie won’t let me come to any harm. Our relationship may have broken down, but you can’t get rid of feelings overnight, and we have a whole heap of unresolved feelings for one another that will need to be confronted at some point.

“Your father is looking very handsome tonight,” Isabella says, not disguising her interest.

The bastard is handsome, and he takes good care of himself, but it’s all fake, like his personality, and that makes him the most unattractive person in the room.

But Isabella is like a dog with a bone when it comes to him. She’s continued to flirt up a storm at events, ignoring the daggers Patrice sends her way. Which is laughable really when you consider she is regularly screwing Atticus behind my father’s back. I’ve no doubt Isabella sees herself as the new president’s wife, but she seems not to have gotten the memo that this is their engagement party. Although, in this world, that doesn’t really count for a lot.

Rick has been having a ball winding her up about him every chance he gets, and Kai is continuing to whisper in his father’s ear. Really, it’s way too easy to manipulate certain people and they deserve everything coming their way.

Patrice catches my eye and I wave her over. Might as well have a little fun with this.

“Patrice, you look stunning as always,” I say, buttering her up. “That shade of green really suits your coloring.”

Blech.

She smiles graciously, but her attention span is limited because she’s giving Isabella some serious side stink-eye. “Isabella was just saying how handsome Father is,” I innocently say, as Shandra fights a smirk. “And I’ve got to agree you make a beautiful couple.”

Patrice’s claws, predictably, come out. “I’m sure she did. But she’d say that about any man in a position of power, irrespective of how he looked. Isn’t that right, dear?”

“Worried much?” Isabella grins.

“Desperate much?” Patrice retorts, and I just step back and watch it all play out beautifully. They are both so riled up after months of this game that it doesn’t take much to ignite the spark.

“You’ve always had a devious streak I’ve admired,” a deep voice says in my ear, and panic instantly flares to life inside me.

Drew makes a move to come to my side, but I caution him with a warning look. The last thing I want Christian Montgomery thinking is that I’m scared of him.

Even if I am.

I still have nightmares about his hideous cock and the feel of his hands on me.

Christian doesn’t make any uncalculated moves, and I want to know what he’s up to. “What do you want, Christian.” My voice is glacial, and I don’t turn around to look at him.

“I wanted to thank you,” he whispers in my ear, and my skin crawls like a thousand fire ants are scratching me.

“I’ll bite,” I say, watching Charlie frowning from his position at the bar.

“You have made this too easy.”

All the tiny hairs lift on the back of my neck, and acid churns in my gut.

“Not that it excuses what you tried to do,” he continues, “and I’ve a long memory and limitless patience reserves, so I can wait it out, but something tells me I won’t have much longer to wait.”

“Get the fuck away from her,” Charlie says, pulling me back from Christian.

“I’m going,” he says, with clear amusement in his tone. “But only because it won’t be long before she’s mine to do with as I please.”

And with those awesome parting words, he walks away, leaving me shaking in fear at the thought he has something big planned for me.





CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE


“Are you nervous?” I ask Father the following morning when we are all convened in the presidential suite over breakfast, just before we head down to the auditorium where the vote will take place.

“Nerves are for the weak.” He puffs out his chest. “Today is just a formality.” Patrice flicks a piece of lint off the pocket of his jacket. “I’ve spent years working toward this goal, and everything is lined up to slot perfectly into place.” He drains his freshly squeezed orange juice, looking predictably smug.