Page 62 of Lovely Deceit

Her lips thin, and then I feel like shit for bringing it up. It wasn’t her fault that he had her tied up in my house and made me go find her there, triggering all the things I’ve wanted to forget.

We don’t talk the rest of the way there. Eventually, we pull up to the gate, and the limo driver speaks to Grandfather’s security before the iron monstrosity is opened for us. The vehicle stops at the very front. Before the driver can come around to open the car door, I chance a glance back at Eden. “Try not to laugh.”

“About…”

The car door opens, and I step out, reaching my hand back inside. Tiny fingers wrap around mine, and I help support her as she stands from the limo.

Her gaze immediately moves toward the huge, white house. Literally. Behind us, there’s a fountain in the front yard.

“You’ve got to be shitting me.”

I chuckle. “Nope. That’s just Franklin Jarvis.”

30

Eden

The fact that Franklin Jarvis lives in a replica of the White House speaks volumes about the kind of person he thinks he is. It’s outright ridiculous.

Other guests climb the front steps and none of them are reacting, so my only guess is that they’ve already seen this laughable display of importance. It’s almost as if this was his way of making sure everyone knows he has the biggest balls in town.

Leo loops his arm through mine, startling me. I don’t think he’s actually touched me this much in the entire time I’ve known him—sex stuff doesn’t count.

We enter the house, making our way through grand hallways until we’re walking out to the back garden. Men in penguin suits walk through the crowd with trays of food and drinks.

These kinds of parties really aren’t my scene, but I don’t care about that right now. I only have one focus tonight, and I spot him in the corner of the party, Anne-Marie on his arm while he throws his head back and laughs at what someone else is saying.

I will pin him down and talk to him today. I have to. I’ve tolerated Leo’s presence ever since I found out that he’s been playing me from the beginning, and it’s about time someone turned the tables on him.

He keeps me close to his side, and I try not to show how uncomfortable this is. Something has gotten into him today, but I’m not going to give in just because he’s pretending to be a decent guy.

He stops me in front of a serving tray with bacon-wrapped scallops. “You have to try these,” he says before leaning over. “This is my favorite part of these parties.”

My stomach twists. Did an alien take over Leonardo Jarvis’ body? Or a ghost with manners? The old Leo peeks through every now and then, but he’s done a complete one-eighty. “Do you feel okay?” I ask him.

Before he can answer, a hand lands on his shoulder, and he turns us until we’re face-to-face with his grandfather. “Glad to see you two made it.” Franklin Jarvis inspects his grandson from head to foot, actually smiling when he’s finished. “Thank you for attempting not to embarrass me today,” he says, and despite myself, my heart goes out to Leo. I know what it’s like to be the one in the family that forges their own path.

“The day is still young,” Leo bites out, and I have to smother a grin. There’s the asshole that I love to hate.

“Ah, of course you would ruin it within a few seconds.” He turns his attention to me. “Let me know if you want me to escort you through the rest of my party instead of this ruffian.”

I narrow my gaze, as if I’d ever let this man touch me. Even if I hadn’t seen his disgusting romp with Anne-Marie, just knowing he’s sent Leo here to watch me is enough to make me shy away from any interaction with him. And I won’t forget the sound of his voice during my last Trial either. “I prefer to call him caveman.”

“Apt description,” Sir Jarvis concedes.

“I’m sure Miss Astor is just fine with me,” Leo states, his grip on me tightening. It’s almost protective, but I won’t be blindsided by Leo’s actions again. This is all just an act—or a pissing contest between grandson and grandfather. He couldn’t care less that I’m the one on his arm, only that he doesn’t want someone else to play with his toy.

His grandfather gives us both a smile. “Enjoy the party.”

Leo must have gotten his acting abilities from him because that almost sounded genuine.

“Charming,” I grouse when he steps away.

“As usual.”

I pluck one of the bacon-wrapped scallops from the tray before Leo walks me away toward a table. “Why don’t you just leave?” I ask. “You were gone, right? Why’d you come back?”

“Long story.” He pulls out a white chair for me at an empty table that’s immaculately decorated and then sits beside me.

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