Three days later, at Grandion Night Club.
I called Lucille and asked her to come get me. She yelled over the phone, "I'm busy! I'll send someone. Just wait there."
Barely two minutes later, a good-looking guy in a half-buttoned shirt that barely covered his chest came down the stairs and tugged at my sleeve. "Miss Reynolds, Miss Green's in a private room on the third floor. I'll take you up."
He led me to a room tucked in the corner of the third floor, decorated like some over-the-top pink princess fantasy. The moment Lucille saw me, she shot the guy a look. He stepped up like he was about to wrap me in his arms.
I dodged him easily and marched straight over to pinch Lucille's ear. "You little witch-how dare you call a male escort?"
Lucille may be from one of those influential political families, but she took a hard left early on. The more rebellious, the more she liked it.
She was about to crack another silly grin when I smacked her bare thigh under that tiny skirt of hers. "Didn't you say you had something big to tell me? Spit it out!"
She pouted and pulled out her phone, flipping open her gallery. "Look."
There were a few blurry shots in low light, but even with the poor quality, it was clear-a woman getting up close and personal with some guy in ways that were definitely scandalous.
I zoomed in on the faces. No matter the angle, that woman was unmistakably my dear "little sister" who's about to get engaged-Isabella.
I yanked Lucille into a hug and planted two big wet kisses on her cheeks. I'd been scratching my head trying to find a crack in Vivian' armor-and now I had a whole photo album of dirt. Just one pic would be enough to tear Isabella's reputation to shreds in Southveil. No way the Sterlings would go through with the engagement after this.
Game over for their little dream scenario.
Lucille shoved me away and yanked off the guy's shirt to wipe her face. "Seriously, you're that happy already? Come on, spill-what's the plan?"
I glanced at the champagne Lucille just used to "serve" the male escort, took a sip, and raised the glass toward the guy. "You've got the looks-and that body's not bad either."
Lucille pulled him onto the couch and pinched his cheek, smirking. "Of course. Kevin's the hottest thing here at Grandion. He told me Isabella tried to book him a few times... only turned her down 'cause he didn't want to step on my toes."
"What, she comes here often?"
Kevin nodded beside us. "Yeah, lately it's been pretty regular. She brings friends too."
"For real?" I scoffed. "Didn't think that little tramp was such a thirsty one. If Theodore ends up marrying her, that guy's really pulling the short straw."
I grinned wider. "Let's make sure that never happens."
Lucille's eyes lit up like she just caught a whiff of something spicy. "What are you thinking?"
I gave her a look full of meaning. "She's been drooling over Kevin for a while now, hasn't she? So as her loving big sis... I'll help make her dream come true."
Lucille burst out laughing, tossed a black card from her purse onto the table, and waved at Kevin. "Name your price. Just make sure Isabella enjoys herself thoroughly. There's more than enough in it for you if it works."
Kevin took the card, flashing his pearly whites. "Leave it to me, Miss Green."
Lucille and I were riding the high, cracked open two bottles of fancy champagne and red wine, and went all in. It took everything I had to haul her drunk self to the door, flag a ride and send her home.
Just when I thought I could finally leave, I realized I forgot my bag. Thank god Lucille had handed me Kevin's card earlier. I called him and asked him to drop it off at the front desk. I patted his shoulder and quietly reminded him of our little plan, he just nodded with a grin, giving me the go-ahead to bounce.
I turned around, ready to head out myself, and barely took two steps before smacking straight into what felt like a human wall.
Rubbing my forehead, I looked up-one glance at that annoyingly handsome face and whatever curse words I had lined up instantly died in my throat.
Theodore.
This was only the second time I'd seen him since that day, and yep, that ice block of a face still had that blatant look of disgust painted all over it. His eyes drifted past me, locking on the glowing Grandion Night sign behind me, and his lips curled up with a mocking smirk. "Daddy's little princess, huh? Really living up to the name."
I bit my lip, giving him a glare that could burn holes. "Well if I'm a joke, you must be the punchline. What brings Mr. Sterling to such fine establishments this late, huh? Don't pretend it's just a coincidence."
Seriously? Trying to throw shade at me? As if I couldn't smell the booze and the overwhelming stench of cheap perfume wafting off him.
He twitched his lip but said nothing. His eyes, dark and unreadable, flickered with something strange-might've been the lighting or something else, but there was definitely something off.
I let out a snort and brushed past him, just wanting to be done with the night.
But before I could get far, a sudden grip wrapped around me, and the next second, I was being tossed over his shoulder like a damn sack. He powered toward a sleek black Spyker, jammed the door open, and shoved me inside without a shred of care.
My head hit the seat and I saw stars, and before I could react, his massive frame was already on top of me, pinning down my flailing arms and legs.
His face closed in, hot breath sweeping across mine. In the dim lighting, I caught sight of the flushed color on his cheeks, his half-unbuttoned shirt exposing toned abs, sweat glistening along that caramel skin-dangerously tempting.
It hit me then-his reaction looked way too familiar. Just like the night I was drugged.
I cautiously called out, "Theodore? You okay?"
Not a word from him. Instead, he suddenly crashed his lips against mine, full of aggression and desperation. Hell if I knew how long he'd been bottling that up, but he bit right through his tongue and our mouths filled with the taste of blood.
The kiss was rough, unhinged. A breeze drifted in from the half-open window. I shoved at him with all I had and slapped him across the face.
He jerked his head, then grabbed my jaw in a vice grip, squeezing hard. My vision blurred as tears started falling uncontrollably.
He reached over and rolled the window up tight, then looked down at me, cold and full of scorn. "Natalie, you've got the guts to hook up with a damn call boy, but suddenly worried about people seeing this? Cut the act, it's pathetic."
"If you're that disgusted, then just let go! Go in and find yourself some working girl at the front desk to deal with whatever this is. Not enough? Hell, I'll even book you a room if you want, take your sweet time..."
Before I could finish, he tightened his grip even more. My heart pounded as I stared at him wide-eyed. "What are you trying to do?! Let me go!"
I fought with everything in me, clashing with his brute force. More than once I slammed into the car window, the sound drawing some glances from the street.
While stealing kisses from me, he whispered threateningly in my ear with that raspy, alluring voice, "You move again and I'll toss you out. I mean it."
By then, my clothes were barely hanging on, ripped beyond recognition. I was practically naked, and the street outside-full of people...
I pressed my lips together, my voice barely there. "Why?"
He gave a cruel, twisted smile. "Why? I saved you once. This is payback. Just blowing off steam."
And just like that, his hand moved to undo his belt...
