Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Thanks, Dad.” Happiness fills me. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am. It’s all perfect.”
“You look beautiful, too. Where’s your—”
“Lucas?” I ask. “He’s with Jack and Tristan. Before that, he was by my side.” I smile up at him. “He’s good for me, Dad.”
“I see that.” He places his hand on my back and leads me toward where my mother is standing with Uncle Alex and Aunt Madison.
After spending time with Mom, I check in with the caterers and restaurant owners. Everything is running smoothly, so I take time to mingle with my cousins. I have a lot of them, and we catch up.
Lucas walks over and I take him in. Wearing his usual black slacks, jacket, and white dress shirt, he’s still the sexy club owner I used to wish I could get to know better.
Now I do.
“Hey, beautiful. How are you?” he asks.
“I’m great, thanks to you.” He shakes his head and gestures around the room. “All of this is due to you, your talent, and determination.”
I grin. “If you say so.”
He laughs and suddenly his expression changes. “Isn’t that the woman we met at the charity gala? She’s your competitor, for lack of a better word.”
I look over my shoulder toward the entrance and see Blaire walking into the club. “This event is invitation only,” I grit out.
“If one of my people let her in or was bribed, I’ll handle it,” he assures me.
“More like Ashlynn gave her an invite. She can’t get away with what she did.”
“Rainey!” Kaylee rushes up to me, speaking in a loud whisper. “It’s time for you to introduce the speakers.” She slips a microphone into my hand.
“I need ten minutes,” I tell her. “Let my father know we’re starting a little late.” As team owner, he’s first up to speak.
Anger fueling me, I storm over to where she’s standing with Lucas by my side.
“Easy, tiger,” Lucas whispers in my ear, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Remember, you’re at your own event. You don’t want to cause a scene.”
I know how to handle myself, but I appreciate the reminder.
“Blaire. I’d ask what you want, but I already know. You’re here to see the damage you inflicted.” I sweep an arm, gesturing around the room. “Go ahead. See what a successful party looks like.” I’m snarky and I don’t care.
She looks around, her astute gaze taking everything in, zeroing in on the nearest food station, her mouth parting in a perfect O. “But… But—”
I grab Blaire’s elbow. “We need to talk in private.”
She sets her jaw and allows me to lead her to Lucas’s office. He starts to follow, but I shake my head. This is between me and this woman who has issues with me I don’t understand. While walking, I turn my phone’s recorder on, determined to get her admission taped.
I place the phone face down on Lucas’s desk. “Tell me why. Why have you been trying to sabotage me ever since I won the bid on the Thunder party?” I ask.
She narrows her gaze. “Because you’re a bitch and have been since high school. You don’t remember me from then even though you were picked for the trip to France for the cultural exchange program and I wasn’t.”
What?! She’s going back to a high school gripe? “It was chosen by grades. How can that be my fault?” I ask.
“You always come out on top! It’s not fair. Every time I go for something, you win!” She’s yelling as she speaks, her cheeks turning red.
She’s irrational but she keeps talking. “I encouraged Gregory Attwater to complain publicly about anything and everything. Luckily, it wasn’t hard since nothing makes the man happy, but you rebuilt after that. It’s like you never go away!”
I blink in stunned silence as she continues to incriminate herself.
“Everything good falls in your lap. Then this party. You’re a Dare, so of course you got the Thunder party bid!”
Staying calm isn’t easy, but I manage. “Blaire, I had a solid presentation. They liked my ideas, that’s all. I know for a fact nobody in my family pushed for me to get this job.”
She rolls her eyes. “Keep telling yourself that,” she mutters loudly.
“And the brick?” I ask, because I need to know.
“I threw it in frustration. And I sabotaged this party, and I’ll keep trying to ruin you until my company is the only one people will use. And nobody will ever know what I did because it’s your word against mine.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I tell her, flipping over my phone and pointing to the red screen. “I’ve been recording you this whole time. From vandalism to stalking, I have your admission of criminal activity. I’m sure the police will love to listen.”
Blaire’s cheeks are already red. Now, tears form in her eyes.
The door bursts open and Kaylee rushes in, Lucas and my father close behind. “Rainey? Are you okay?” my best friend asks.