Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
He was talking about me.
Marksen must have done this.
It was the only explanation I could think of. He had my phone, and although he returned it via Luc, all of Colin’s messages had been deleted, and he hadn’t called or texted once since the wedding.
Marksen must have blocked him and then dealt with him.
That just made me feel even more confident of my plan.
A few days ago, Marksen may have been the biggest threat against me, but he also protected me. He’d ultimately listened to me, and when I proved I knew more than he did, he didn’t belittle me or take credit.
He had even told Luc that I was the one who figured it all out.
I wanted my revenge, but I also wanted him.
The DuBois clan were not the only ones who could take what they wanted.
Marksen wasn’t perfect. But he was going to be mine.
Speaking of men who couldn’t muster the strength to talk to me. “Have you seen Marksen yet?”
She nodded and pointed to the other end of the room. There he was in black jeans that made my mouth water and a Ralph Lauren jacket, looking a little bit like he was afraid someone was going to challenge him to a duel at high noon.
“He looks like he wants to run away.”
“He does,” Amelia agreed. “Luc insisted he come after I insisted that he insist.”
“You two are very insistent,” Luc said, coming to stand behind his wife.
He looked a little ridiculous and very uncomfortable in his jeans. I didn’t miss the way his hand went around Amelia’s hip and he pulled her into him. It wasn’t inappropriate, but still, there was no denying it was a public display of affection that also was a show of dominance.
He was telling every man in this room that Amelia was his.
I wanted that.
I wanted someone to want to show me off but keep me close. There was a small chance that was something within my grasp.
I just had to fight for it.
No Manwarring had ever run from a fight, and I was not going to be the first.
I cleared my throat, and the lovebirds still stared into each other’s eyes.
It would have been nauseating if they weren’t so damn cute.
“Excuse me,” I said, tapping my brother on the shoulder. “If you could come back down to earth for just a moment. That would be super.”
He leveled an unimpressed look at me. “You have thirty seconds.”
“More than enough.” I rolled my eyes at him. “Is everything ready?”
“Yes, but I am going on record to say this is a bad idea.” Luc turned to face me, his arms crossed in a way that showed his big brother disapproval. It was a good thing I stopped caring long ago if he approved of what I did or didn’t do.
My time with Marksen had shaken my worldview and realigned my priorities. I loved Luc and despite him not deserving it, my father. I just had no intentions of living my life within the parameters they would find agreeable or even acceptable.
“Your concerns have been noted and discarded,” I said.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do? This could backfire in so many ways.”
I held up a hand to stop him.
“I am aware of the risks. I have weighed the pros and cons and have determined that the benefit outweighs the risk.”
Now it was his turn to roll his eyes at me while Amelia snickered behind his shoulder.
“Fine. It’s all done. You are good to go. But just so you know, I might understand why Marksen did what he did, but that does not mean I forgive him.”
I stuck out my chin. “He didn’t do a thing to you. Everything he did was to me, it’s my choice if he is forgiven or not.” I grabbed another glass of champagne and drank it in one long pull.
Marksen was at the back of the room, pretending to study a sculpture that was part of the silent auction.
It was a bronze piece of two figures lying side by side, their nude forms relaxed, their arms and legs intertwined as if they were relaxing after making love for hours.
It was created by the same artist who did the sculpture I had been admiring the night of Luc’s wedding.
It was a fitting piece. I made a mental note to ask Amelia to bid on it for me.
Marksen was so focused on the piece, he didn’t feel my eyes on him, watching his every move.
I made my way closer.
Making small talk for a few moments here and there to blend in with the crowd.
I didn’t want him to sense me closing in and try to escape before I got to him.
I was like a jungle cat stalking my prey, circling it, getting closer and closer without him realizing it.