Betrayal (Infidelity Book 1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,43
all of my self-control to remain composed until we reached a secluded corner of the room. Once we were there, the first thing I did was free my arm.
Before he could speak, I began, “I’m talking to you directly for one reason: I want you to understand that I’m not bluffing. If you go further than I want on this agreement, I will talk and I’ll talk loudly.”
His lip twitched before he asked, “What did you agree to do?”
“Bryce and I have stayed in touch. Now that I’ve returned to the East Coast, we have agreed to talk and see more of one another. That’s it,” I qualified. “Nothing more. No big announcement. No secretive, passionate love. Take it or leave it.”
Alton nodded at another guest I didn’t know and lowered his voice. Leaning closer he whispered, “Alexandria, I will not be threatened. I’ll take your offer—for now. This isn’t done, and when it all plays out, remember you have only yourself to blame.”
The fruity stench of his breath churned the seafood in my stomach, making the earlier acrobatics it had been doing a pleasant memory. “When what plays out?” I asked. “What do you mean, and why?”
People continued to move nearby. Alton’s liquor-stained teeth peered between his thin lips as he forced a smile. “Why what, dear?”
“Why go to all this trouble for Bryce?”
“We can discuss this at another more appropriate time. This isn’t the place.”
I kept my voice low and raised my brows. “I’m playing nice. Give me something. I want to know why.”
The hairs on the back of my neck came to attention as his large hand splayed across my shoulder. To the outside world—to people two feet away—we were a happy family, father and daughter, having a pleasant conversation. “Your mother,” he said. “She cares about Suzanna. It affects Montague Corporation.”
“Alton, I don’t mean to interrupt.” Senator Higgins’ booming voice rippled over my shoulder.
“Not at all, Grant. Alexandria and I can continue our talk another time. Isn’t that right, dear?”
Instead of responding, I turned toward the politician. “Senator, thank you for attending my party. It’s an honor to have you here.”
He shook my hand. As I was about to retrieve it, he held tight and said, “I’m always happy to meet with your dad and lovely mother, but tonight I’m pleased to meet one of the future litigators of our fine state.” He looked past me to Alton and back. “And such a pretty little one, too.”
Chauvinist!
I forced the tips of my pressed lips to rise. “Thank you. If you’ll excuse me?”
He released my hand after a condescending pat. “Certainly, young lady. It was nice to meet you.”
My skin crawled as I walked away.
Alton never did tell me what would play out, and I sure as hell didn’t buy his answer about why he was helping Bryce. I didn’t. It didn’t make sense. This entire scenario didn’t need to negatively affect Montague Corporation. That was Alton’s call, at least from the story he’d told me. He could have agreed to withdraw Montague’s offer to employ Bryce. Most large companies had ethics clauses. Montague Corporation could have easily cited that as a reason to withdraw their earlier offer.
“Alexandria.”
I turned toward the kind voice.
“I have to warn you, you’re going to miss it.”
My Montague mask morphed into a real smile as I looked at Miss Betty. “Stanford, you mean?”
“Yes,” she replied wistfully, “and the freedom.”
“Freedom?”
She took another drink from her glass. Small bubbles moved upward in her sparkling wine. From her tone and the way she swayed slightly side to side, I presumed it wasn’t her first glass. Not everyone could hold their liquor like my mother. It also seemed that my alma mater had brought back memories that she’d tucked away.
She squeezed my hand. “You still have three more years. Take it from me, life happens too fast. Marriage, children, shit.” Her eyes popped open, and she playfully covered her mouth. “I didn’t say that aloud, did I?”
I giggled and shook my head. “Say what, Miss Betty? I didn’t hear a thing.”
“You, young lady, will go far. And I’m not just saying that because of Stanford.” She held onto my arm and scanned the grand hall. “This is such a lovely home. I’ve had a wonderful time, but I think it’s time I get my driver, and we head home.”
“Thank you for coming.”
I helped her to the door and made sure that one of the staff alerted her driver. I’d known Miss Betty most of my life,