Page 12 of Queen of Ruin

She whips her head around. “I don’t care what you believe, but since we’re on the subject, Darren, you’re a grown man or so you claim to be, and you can do whatever you want, but when it involves my integrity…”

“Your integrity?”

“Yes, my integrity,” she sneers, “because when I tell you something, it’s the truth. I have no reason to lie, and you just leave like a child who didn’t get his way,” she finishes.

“Look who’s talking. I know all about the jet. Nice, by the way. Did you think they wouldn’t alert me?”

Her face falls.

“You’re still here.”

“Yes, Darren. I’m still here.”

“Why is that, if I’m such an asshole?”

“You’re very good at it, too.”

She doesn’t answer the damn question, and I rub my chin in frustration.

“Mechanical difficulties?” I inquire, lifting an eyebrow.

“No.”

“Was it the book?” I give I her a cocky grin. It’s not exactly the way I wanted her to find it, but it’s been eating me up inside ever since I found out she chartered the plane.

She laughs. Correction, it’s more like a scoff. “Be careful, Darren, or your ego will cause your head to explode.”

Fucking Hemingway.

I scratch my head. “Forgive me for being nice.”

“You could teach a class in passive aggressive behavior, you know that?” she accuses.

“You can’t even begin to understand what I’m going through!” I snap.

“Your parents died unexpectedly, but at a certain point, that excuse doesn’t work anymore, and then you’re just a plain asshole.” Her animated gestures cause the water to slosh over the edge of the tub, creating a pool at my feet.

“You hide fucking information from me and I’m the asshole?” I ask, getting heated.

“So now you want to talk? Okay, Darren.” She sits up in the tub, her knees poking through the bubbles. “And what if I had told you, would that have changed anything? Would you still have coerced me into marrying you?” she asks, and I watch droplets of water fall down her long neck.

“I don’t know, but at least I’d have made an informed decision.” I know damn well I would have still wanted her.

“Don’t give me your judgmental look, because what I did with my life before you is my business!” she fumes, flinging soapy water at me.

“Hey!” I look down at my jeans, now wet with bubbles. “Don’t act like you’re innocent because I know what you think of me,” I accuse, but I can’t help noticing how the bubbles seem to be dissipating from the tub, allowing me to see the rosebud of her nipples peeking out through the water.

“And what do I think of you, Darren?” she asks, splashing more of the water and bubbles at me. “That you’re a spoiled brat who doesn’t know what it’s like to have to work for everything you have?”

I provoke her more by adding, “Not true,” I lift my eyebrows. “I clerked for Judge Hopkins, but then Alistair had to go and defile his daughter and got me fired.”

“You’re disgusting,” she splashes more water at me. My pants are now soaked and my shirt is plastered to my chest. “You and Alistair deserve each other. You should have married him.”

Only a few bubbles are left, leaving the water semitransparent, and my stomach tightens. My fingers twitch and I shove them in my pockets. Giving in would let her know how much she affects me, and I’ve already given her too much ammunition.

“Alistair would have asked for ten million. You were a bargain.”

That rewards me with a splash of water to my face. “Jesus, Evan! At this rate I should just join you in the bathtub,” I say, while shaking the wet hair from my face.

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