Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I glance over to them standing in the corner, Thomas’s hand is on the small of Alora’s back. He’s whispering something in her ear and she smiles up at him. Something sinister comes over me like never before, I imagine him touching her and thermonuclear rage sets in.
My body simmers as I feel adrenaline pump through my veins.
Calm down….
But I already know that’s an impossible task. I collect the drinks tray and walk back to the group. “Here you are.” I bite the side of my cheek to stop myself from saying something that they will regret.
Alora takes her champagne and takes a nervous sip; the rest of the room disappears as my eyes hold hers.
What are you up to?
Colette’s phone rings. “I have to take this.”
“Of course.” I nod. “Take your time.”
“Bonjour,” she answers as she walks out into the foyer.
Thomas’s eyes come to mine. “I didn’t quite catch your surname,” I repeat.
He hesitates and his eyes flick to Alora’s.
“Don’t look at her. Look at me, Mr. Stone,” I growl.
“Edward,” Alora whispers.
“Don’t dare Edward me. What the fuck are you doing here with her?” I demand.
“We’re friends,” Alora splutters.
“Do not answer for him.”
Our eyes are locked and I step forward. “So you get paid to sleep with women.”
“Pissed that I don’t give it away for free like you?” he fires back.
I clench my fists by my sides.
We glare at each other.
“Edward,” Alora whispers. “Stop it.”
“I’m going to ask you again. What are you doing here with Alora?”
“We are old friends.”
I step forward, bringing us face-to-face. “You need to leave before you meet your maker.”
“Edward, stop it,” Alora whispers as she looks around. “You’re making a scene.”
“Why should it bother you who Alora is with?” he fires back. “Aren’t you here with another woman?”
“A friend.”
“Does she know that?” He smiles into his drink. “Or is she here chasing her paycheck? People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, Mr. Prescott.”
I get a vision of my hand around his throat.
“We’re leaving,” Alora snaps.
“Don’t you dare go anywhere with him. I forbid it.”
“I’ll do whatever I like.”
“The hell you will.” I step forward again.
“Is everything alright here, Mr. Prescott?” My bodyguard Philippe interrupts as he steps in between us.
“Escort this man from the premises immediately.”
“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you,” Thomas spits. “We’re leaving anyway.”
I step forward to block his way. “You lay a finger on her and I swear to fucking god,” I whisper, “you are a dead man.”
“Edward,” Alora snaps. “Stop it.”
“Is that the best you’ve got?” Thomas smiles. “An idle threat.”
“Let’s go.” Philippe pushes him on the back. “Outside.”
They walk off into the distance as I become glaringly aware that everyone in the bar is watching us. I drag my hand through my hair as I try to compose myself.
“What now, boss?” Herman asks.
“Don’t let them out of your sight, and if he lays one finger on her…bring him to me in a body bag.”
“Yes, sir.” They take off after them.
I drain my glass of scotch, heart pumping hard and so angry that I can hardly see.
“What did I miss?” Colette smiles calmly as she reappears.
“We’re leaving.”
ALORA
Thomas and I rush from the hotel and out onto the road. “Holy shit,” I whisper as he pulls me along the crowded footpath by the hand. “That was….”
“Hectic.”
“I’m so sorry to get you mixed up in this,” I stammer in a fluster. “But did you have to bait him?”
“Listen, I don’t know what the hell is going on with that guy, but he is out of line.”
“Oh my god, he’s on a date?” I glance back at the hotel disappearing. “He’s on a fucking date?”
We cross the road. “Are we having dinner somewhere?”
“Yeah, I guess.” I sigh.
He’s finally single and now he’s going to sleep with her….
“What do you feel like?” he asks as he turns and looks behind us.
“Anything will do at this point.” I shrug. “Arsenic?”
“We’re being followed.”
“What?” I spin around to see the two bodyguards walking behind us. “What the hell?”
“Don’t look back.” He pulls me along.
“Oh my god, why are they following us?”
“To make sure I don’t touch you, I’m assuming.”
“What?” I spin back to see and he turns me back to the front.
“This way.” He opens the door and we walk into a restaurant.
“Bonjour, est-ce que vous auriez une table pour deux ?” (Translation: Good day, do you have a table for two available?)
“Yes, this way.” We follow her inside to a small table for two at the back of the restaurant.
I give a weak smile, grateful to be away from the goons.
The front door opens and the two guards walk in.
“What the hell?” I put the menu up in front of my face. “Should we run?”
“Where are we going to run to?” Thomas sighs as he takes off his jacket and hangs it over the back of his chair. “They’ll just catch us anyway and proceed to cut off my fucking balls.”