Page 131 of The Photograph

Thank you, my friend.

****

“Kerry, come in.”

I move aside the front door as my blonde sexual partner walks into the middle of the living room rolling her hips encased in the short red dress. She rotates slowly on her red high heeled sandals, flicks her long blonde hair over her shoulder, and places her hand on her hip while she eye-fucks me.

“Hey, big guy.” Kerry’s shiny red lips purse. She straightens up, tenting the deep V-neck of her dress against her more-than-a handful breasts and tilts her head to the side. “You’re ending the arrangement.”

Stepping nearer, I kiss her cheek. “I am.” I extend my arm toward the couch. “Let’s sit down. I’ve got the papers here.”

After a deep breath, she nods and sits down. I settle beside her as she leans over the coffee table to pick up the second NDA barring her from revealing any personal or financial details about our relationship to the press that Smithson prepared earlier.

Without hesitation, she signs the document and shifts to face me. “I thought we were getting on pretty well.”

We were. Then Aelin made me want more. I tap my fingers on the second document. “As per our arrangement, you’ll keep the Couture account for another year—”

Her high-pitched giggle abrades my ear and I tense at the touch of her hand on mine.

“Gabe, I get it. We both knew what this was from the start. It was nice while it lasted, and you’ve been extremely generous. I just want to make sureyouare okay.”

There’s concern, genuine concern in her heavily made-up eyes, and I clear my throat.

“I’m good, Kerry. Thanks.” When she uncrosses her legs to stand up, I inch closer. “Have you ever felt lesser than or degraded by the terms of our agreement?”

She gawks at me for long seconds and chuckles. “What happened to you? You sound like you actually care.”

I push on my knees, but she digs her nails in my forearm.

“No, I never felt that way.” Her eyes lock onto mine. “Shit. You really have changed. Let’s get some food and we can talk … if you want.”

Before I can reply, my cell buzzes with a message from the manager of our European business. I swipe my thumb on the screen. “My chef’s not in. Ask Marty to order something in.”

“Your doorman?”

“My concierge.” I lift my cell. “I need to take care of this.” I make my way to the business side of the floor.

****

Aelin

As my Uber drives away, I lift my eyes to the penthouse of the G&M Investments building while my heart races.

The evening sky ensnares the glass and silver like a jewel.

Please, don’t break my heart.

I touch my pendant, climb the wide stairs leading to the glass doors, and push on the intercom button. The tiny red spot turns green, and the glass doors slide open.

“Good evening, Martin.”

The doorman rounds his desk to meet me. “Ms. Thorne, is Mr. Matthews … aware of your visit?”

No, it’s a surprise.I checked with Mitch where Gabe was tonight. Hoping the Englishman won’t notice the heat flushing my face, I smile wide. “Yes.”

When I follow him to the elevator, I swear I hear him say ‘Lucky sod.’ but my heartbeats deafen me. He swipes his card, pushes the PH2 square button, and dips his chin. “Have a good evening, Ms. Thorne.”

The doors slide on the lowly illuminated hallway. As I cross the floor, I shake off the shiver down my back. The atmosphere is eerily similar to the night Gabe made me sign the evil contract. After another deep breath, I step to his door.

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