Lillian didn’t wait to return home to start her campaign against her soon-to-be ex-stepdaughter. How dare she make her life more difficult until Marina was supposed to submit to Galen while Conner should have married Gabriella? Lillian would marry Joseph. Lillian would have access to all the money and destroy the dead word. Or exes she’d gain over the last fifteen years. She seeks revenge on them for their laziness and lack of financial success. Lillian only requested that they maintain her desired lifestyle without her having to do anything. She wouldn’t accept a man retiring to live off his investments. That screamed door as he leeched of his savings. She didn’t want a man who didn’t sacrifice for her comfort. She’d learned long ago that worthy men sacrificed for her time. Not love. Love was a false emotion created by greeting card companies. She had no desire for love or marriage with a money-seeking man. “It’s unexpected how a few facts can generate sympath
The meeting went well enough, Conner thought. He caught sight of a new side of Merina. Now he had messages piling up from friends and business associates about information they’d heard. He’d spent his afternoon putting out fires. He’d assume these rumors and hints at financial disaster were Lillian, Joseph, and Gabriella’s doing. It all appeared to revolve around them. “David, you’re not crazy right?” “No, never had a problem. Why?” “Merina is as crazy as you are. As for the police officer stupidity. She knows she’s not a police officer. She has a much more flexible and diverse position. I can tell you that she’s an expert in her field and consults with the police when they call upon her. She works with law enforcement all over the world. That’s why she didn’t come home. The woman tracks electronic transfers of money and information. Agencies, businesses, and people hire her when they need help learning where the money went missing.”
Conner took Merina out to his country club for dinner. He wanted to know what everyone’s reaction to the rumors. He didn’t tell Merina that was his intention, but he suspected she knew. This afternoon, he started questioning what he’d been doing with her. It hadn’t changed. They climbed from the limousine when he changed his mind and thought it better to warn Merina what they’d walk into. “Meri, I don’t want you to overreact if we’re snubbed tonight. We know what Lillian’s been saying.” Conner said, before she cut him off. “Don’t worry about it. These people hold no importance to me. They may think they are hurting me, but in the long run they’ll be hurting themselves. It’s fine. All they are doing is embarrassing themselves. What will happen to them when Lillian is charged? If not alongside Joseph, then my father will take her to court for slandering him, I’m sure. If I can get her on record spreading the rumors or claiming she said th
Conner gave her a moment to arrange herself in the ladies’ room on the upper floor. They’d lucked out that the security staff hadn’t done their rounds while they were there. But the wicked thrill had given her heart a workout. Merina would admit to anyone but Conner that his performance was something she’d never tire of. Even now she could feel him giving her his all, and Merina’s knees were still a little weak from her orgasm. It went through her body and didn’t miss overwhelming any of her senses. Every nerve in her body tingled. Conner put naughty and made the forbidden tempting. “Are you ready to make your entrance as Mrs. O’Keefe?” “What we did makes me want to go home and sleep. I think you short-circuited my brain. I can’t form a sentence right now. Merina said. She’d make him rue this day, if he’d made her unable to defend herself in front of these people. Conner smiled at her as he took her arm. “Then you must stand close to me
They’d eaten dinner. Now everyone relaxed with dessert and after-dinner drinks. A woman, unfamiliar until tonight, married to a woman Merina never knew well during childhood, leaned towards her. “Is it me? Are they too preoccupied with others’ lives to acknowledge their own errors?” “You’re very observant. I’ve waited all night for someone to realize I don’t care about their opinions. Merina said to her. The smiling woman sought meaningful conversation. Which flew fast and furious most of the evening when anyone suspected Merina or Conner might overhear. “I understand. It seems since my work is profitable, but my name is slapped on none of it. Am I unworthy to gossip about here?” The woman hadn’t introduced herself yet. Not being included in the gossip didn’t seem to affect her much. Merina liked her dry sense of humor. “Oh, my name and work are similar. They don’t comprehend my work. Or they believe the gossip and believe I’m lying. So,
Merina and Conner tried to skirt around where Lillian entered the country club. Merina knew Lillian would lose her membership once the divorce between her father and Lillian ended. However, Merina noticed Lillian’s lack of understanding. She arrived at the club late in the evening. Lillian didn’t understand fashionably late could become too late by mere minutes. She’d missed the social gathering and the dinner. As she argued with the concierge in the main lobby, Lillian spotted Merina as Conner gathered their coats. He’d returned with them as Lillian approached. “Not now Lillian. Don’t be a boar. We are just leaving.” Conner said to her. His voice and face appeared bored and unimpressed by her presence and her nerve. “Oh, but Conner I wanted to know how you’re doing. You must be having such a trying time with my stepdaughter as your wife. I was wondering if I could recommend a service to help you.” Lillian said. She raised her voice for
Ana watched Jeff from across the breakfast table like a trapped or wounded animal. She had stayed for months with him because she thought she liked him. Perhaps she could admit she loved him. Last night he’d gone too far. She’d convinced herself this was part of the games he and his friends played, and she let him make love to her. She figured if he fell asleep, she could leave. Be he’d locked her purse in a safe she couldn’t open. Later, he’d blindfolded her before he surprised her by locking a fancy ankle bracelet to her, then he attached a chain from the bed to it. He’d chained her to the bed, then gave her some of the best sex she’d ever had. Tired after all that exertion, Jeff revealed he’d been utter scum and recorded their time together. Ana wanted to kill him. He claimed he couldn’t trust her. Yet he’s the one who pulls this. Her life would end if her father saw the video. Ana now realized Jeff knew her identity. How could she explain to him why she lie
“Babe, look up today’s news there’s something breaking right now.” Conner said. He’d called Merina early the next morning. His voice gave Merina the impression that he felt happy, and she hoped it meant they were victorious. Had something happened, and they’d taken a step closer to being able to get on with their lives and rebuild the family businesses? Merina searched for the news on her phone. The one day that Conner’s business took him away from her side. She’d filled her day trying to get known business dealt with, but she struggled because in she couldn’t get in touch with Ana. Other staff members faced the same issue. “Conner, can you do something for me before I go into depth? However, the cat’s out of the bag.” “What do you need love?” “Can you call your friend Jeff? The one I met a few nights ago and ask him if he can reach his girlfriend Ana?” “What? Why? Doing that seems odd.” “Because his A