Page 49 of Conflict
“Mother was right. Ariana will be the perfect trophy wife. And once she’s pregnant with my heir, it’ll only be a matter of time before Covington names me his successor. After all, he has no sons and it’s not as if Alyssa’s…”
He practically spits my name, as if it’s left a bad taste in his mouth. My blood boils, and just as I’m about to burst into the room, Ari’s hand latches on to my arm. Apparently, she’s heard enough. I have no idea how long she’s been standing here or what all he’s said, but from the anger in her eyes, I didn’t hear the worst of it.
“No. Allow me.”
I raise an eyebrow, wondering if I’m about to witness the showdown I’ve been waiting so damn long for. “By all means, lead the way.”
Ariana strolls into the bar like the freaking queen of England. I’m amazed she’s keeping it together. The anger’s faded to a look of indifference. Me? I don’t merely want to chop his balls off. No, I want to take a filet knife and slice away, bit by painful freaking bit, until he’s writhing on the floor in agony.
I come to a stop behind Ariana when she reaches the two jackasses. She places one hand on her hip and gives Benjamin a lethal stare.
“Don’t stop on my account, Benjamin. Please continue. I’d love to hear all about how this trophy wife is going to help secure your place in the Covington line. How I’m the key to your wealth. How the only reason you want to have a child with me is to basically bribe my father.”
I have to give it to him. He’s good. Benjamin doesn’t even flinch at her words. Nope, he practically dismisses them.
“Darling, it’s not that at all. You must just be getting nerves before the wedding. Why don’t you go up to your room and I’ll send up a bottle of the hotel’s finest champagne? Tomorrow, we’ll be wed and you can put all of this stress behind you.”
It’s uncanny. He hardly even sounds human, let alone a man about to be married to the love of his life.
Benjamin steps forward, but Ariana takes a step back, stopping him in his tracks. “No, Benjamin. I think you’re sorely mistaken. If you think I’m going through with this farce of a wedding, you’re in for a rude awakening.”
I’m amazed at the shock that crosses his features. It melts into humiliation, and I’m pretty sure this man has never been humbled before in his life. His father clears his throat, and then I see the anger in Benjamin’s eyes. A second later, it’s as if he’s donned a mask. He chuckles, walks towards Ariana, and places a kiss on her cheek. He pulls back, staring down into her eyes.
“I have a few things to do before the rehearsal tonight.” It’s as if she hadn’t just told him the wedding was over. “I’ll see you later.”
And just like that, Benjamin and his father walk out of the bar like nothing happened.
I race to the open door and yell insults about his anatomy loud enough for everyone on the premises to hear.
The jerk doesn’t even flinch, so I toss out a few more expletives to no avail.
Ariana gapes after him, and I’m right here with her. Did he seriously think he could kiss her on the cheek and make everything better?
Of course he did.
What a freaking tool.
My sister, with her head held high, walks back to her room. It’s not until I close the door behind us that she crumples to the ground.
“Just breathe, Ari,” I whisper, rubbing soft circles on my sister’s back.
I wait as she takes a deep breath. Her shoulders rise and fall in rhythm with her breathing, and I wonder what she’s thinking.
Because, even though I knew to expect something like this from Benjamin, I currently imagine all the ways I can disembowel the man who broke my sister’s heart the night before her wedding.
My thoughts return to the present when my sister’s face lifts and she meets my eyes. I want to cheer at the resolve staring back at me.
“I can’t do this.” She pauses, shaking her head. “No. I won’t do this.”
Hallelujah!
I could jump up and cheer, but for my sister’s sake, I remain seated and calm even though I’m screaming in my mind. Ariana is trying to compose herself, so I keep silent while she works through this in her head.
“What the hell was he thinking? This is the twenty-first century for crying out loud. It’s not like I came with a dowry! And who calls their children heirs anymore?” she cries, and I’m reminded of the historical romance binge she’s been on for the past few months. “I mean, really. A trophy wife? Me?”
One side of my mouth quirks up into a half grin. “Ari, that just goes to show you that Benjamin doesn’t know you. He never did.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re strong, even if you don’t realize it. The important thing is that you haven’t realized it too late.”
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right,” she says, rising to her feet.
