Page 164 of Crocodile Tears

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Alex whispered. “None of us knew. How could we?”

Tyler stalked over to the sofa and stood over him, staring down, visibly trying to regain control.

“I was heartbroken. I watched every news report, read every article, tracked down every single piece of information published about the crash… and there, at the centre of everything, was you.” He leaned down and took Alex’s face between his hands. “You – Alexander Lytton – the spoilt, drug-addicted nepo baby who ruined my life.”

Alex stared up at him helplessly. Tyler stared back. “I wanted to know you, Alexander. I wanted to find out who you are and what makes you tick – because then I’d know how to hurt you, the way you hurt me.”

Releasing his face, Tyler took a step back. “And when I decide I want something, I give it my full attention – that’s how I got all this.” He waved his hand around the expensive apartment.

“What did you do?” Alex stared at him in horror, suddenly realising just how deep this went.

“After I’d exhausted all that social networking and the news media could offer, I decided I needed to get closer to you. That wasn’t possible while you were living in seclusion at The Orchard… but when I learned you were going to Oxford, that was my opportunity.”

“To spy on me?”

“Precisely. I found the most beautiful woman money could buy and sent her along. After all, what horny teenage boy could resist her? Solange, my dear, come in.”

Tyler clicked his fingers again, and Solange entered the room. She was wearing a short crocheted white dress that contrasted perfectly with her brown skin, and a pair of knee-length white patent leather boots. There was a gold ID tag attached to her necklace and a microchip winking in her wrist – neither of which had been there before.

She avoided meeting Alex’s eye and sat dutifully in the armchair Tyler was pointing at, looking tense and miserable.

“Of course, I had no idea, back then, how very broad your sexual tastes are,” Tyler continued, with a sly grin. “Solange soon put me straight on that score, although maybe ‘straight’ isn’t the right word.” He gave a bark of laughter. “I’m sure I could have found an equally beautiful young man if it had been necessary, but fortunately, it wasn’t.”

“It was a lie? All of it?” Alex asked. Solange gave a tight, unhappy shrug, still refusing to meet his eye.

“I did as I was ordered. Mr Tyler isn’t my godfather – he’s my houder,” she said, in such a quiet voice Alex could hardly hear her.

“You didn’t wear his ID tag or chip back then,” he pointed out.

“No. He wanted it to appear as if I was just another student at the university.”

“It’s illegal for an IS not to display their houder’s ID.”

“Is it? Oh dear,” Tyler mocked. “Solange was a useful source of information, although you never quite formed the attachment to her that I wanted.”

Alex frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”

“I wanted you to fall in love with her. I wanted you to fall head over heels, so I could take her away from you the way Izzy was taken away from me. I soon saw that wasn’t going to happen, but I kept Solange in place and continued monitoring you. You became something of an obsession.”

“I’m flattered,” Alex said stonily.

Tyler smirked. “After a couple of years, I was curious to meet you for myself – so I attended Solange’s graduation.” He winked at her, but she managed only a wan smile in return. “It was probably a little reckless, but it was satisfying to meet you at last.”

“I do hope I impressed you,” Alex said sardonically.

“Oh, you were everything I expected. Sullen, entitled, and narcissistic – you could hardly spare a moment to speak about your mother. You were more interested in yourself.”

“I didn’t want to speak toyouabout her – I didn’t even know you. Why should I share something so private with a complete stranger?”

Tyler ignored him. “And you looked very like your father at the same age – I couldn’t see anything of your mother in you. You’re all Lytton.”

“A lot of people say I have my mother’s smile – and her temperament.”

“You’re nothing like her,” Tyler snapped. “She was strong and kind, generous and loyal, and she had a big heart.”

“And she loved drama and intrigue. I can believe she strung you along for years without ever intending to leave my father.” Alex decided to strike a blow of his own.

Tyler’s expression changed, and Alex caught a glimpse of aterrifying darkness. Then it was gone, and Tyler was calm and urbane once more.

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