Deception (Infidelity #3)(73)

I liked Stephen. I was most certain that Ralph had sent him my way in hopes of derailing whatever it was he thought I would find. Perhaps Ralph believed that together Stephen and I would be the blind leading the blind. However, I knew more about the Montague family than I’d ever been allowed to previously voice, and Stephen was extremely well versed in legalese—not only because he was a second-year law student at Savannah Law and an intern in an esteemed law practice, but also because of his undergraduate work where he’d majored in philosophy. Stephen had an uncanny ability to decipher the written word.

“Are you listening?”

I lifted my gaze to my husband’s. His gray eyes darkened as he awaited my response.

“I am. I’m concerned that I won’t be able to hide my distaste for this entire situation. How can I possibly not let on that I know she’s a prostitute?”

“Come now, Adelaide, you’re an expert at this.”

I stopped my hand with the wine goblet poised at my lips, uncertain if I’d actually received a compliment. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that you can grin and bear it with the best of them.”

It wasn’t a compliment. “Perhaps you’d like to enlighten me with specific examples.”

“No, I’d like you to do as I said and welcome this girl into our home as you would Alexandria’s suitor, that Demetri young man.”

I took a deep breath. “I haven’t met him. But the glaring difference is that Alexandria hasn’t paid for his companionship.” I emphasized the word Bryce had used.

“Not to our knowledge.”

I narrowed my gaze. “Alexandria has no access to any of her money. And from what I understand, that Demetri young man isn’t in need of financial support.”

Alton took a step closer. “Really, Adelaide, I thought we were done discussing the attributes of the Demetris. Unless you’d like to reopen old wounds.”

I pressed my lips together. If only he knew the extent to which I’d explored Oren Demetri’s attributes. In my husband’s mind, he was talking about one encounter. Little did he know that it lasted for years. “I believe that you made your opinion of Lennox’s father very clear.”

Removing the glass from my hand, Alton stared down into my eyes. The intensity was both frightening and exhilarating. I’d trained myself too well to look away, a lesser woman would. But I’d danced this tango too many times. In these situations, my survival mechanism was to become a voyeur. No longer present as a participant, I watched from outside, fascinated by the carnage from the imminent wreck.

With each passing second, my husband’s expression hardened. Before I knew what he’d done, his hand was around my throat, causing me to stumble backward until my shoulders collided with the wall. He applied just enough pressure to my neck that I needed to raise my chin to breathe. “This isn’t a wise choice of conversation.”

“I don’t believe it was I who brought it up.”

The pressure increased but only marginally. “We will have a united front when we dine. Is that clear?”

The telltale taste of copper seeped onto my tongue as I pierced my lip, biting back the response I wanted to say. “Yes, you’re very clear.”

“For the record, that young man comes from a lineage of criminals, in all meanings of the word. Underhanded business as well as underworld dealings. He will never step foot in my home.”

It wasn’t a question. I was most certain Alexandria would agree with Alton, though not for the same reasons. “I have not met him,” I emphasized what I’d said before.

“But his father…”

My gaze stayed fixed though the pressure on my neck increased. I knew better than to change my expression. Any alteration could be misconstrued.

“You know, Adelaide, not all whores are purchased through a company.”

No, some secure their place in your life with their bastard son. I didn’t say that.

When I didn’t respond, he released me.

I inhaled, allowing my lungs to fully expand. “What about Alexandria?” I asked, rubbing my fingers over my neck and reaching for my glass. The wine felt good as it coated my throat.

“What about her?”

“Her reaction to all of this. I don’t know how you think this will get her and Bryce back together.”

“Have you told her?”

“No. I haven’t spoken to her. She still isn’t answering my calls since you used my phone.”

Alton shook his head. “That girl needs to be taught manners.”

I walked toward the mirror. The skin of my neck was red, though he hadn’t squeezed hard enough to leave the markings of his fingers.

Alton went to my dresser and opened two doors revealing multiple drawers filled with jewelry. As he searched, he said, “I was working to get her back here before this change of events. As with everything else, I’ve given up on your ability to influence her decisions. Besides, I won’t allow this Moore girl to change the intended outcome.”

Turning from my jewelry, Alton silently handed me a beaded necklace. It was shaped like a large triangle, the design hanging like a scarf secured high on my neck with the point falling just over the neckline of my dress.

It would hide any signs of his recent power play.

Illusion.