manipulating prices with supply and demand? No! We would never do anything like that.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t blacklist me in New York, either.”
“Of course not!”
“Yet whispers are circulating loud enough that no one in New York is returning my calls. Damage is being done that won’t stop until Benny resurfaces. I think I deserve compensation for that, Gisella. Don’t you?”
Her insides felt cold and heavy, chilling her with dread. She threw up her hands in helplessness. “I didn’t know any of this!”
His lip curled with contempt, telling her she could talk herself blue. In his mind, the evidence was stacked too high against all of them.
She looked to her phone, desperately willing Benny to call and make all of this go away. All she wanted was a single earring, for heaven’s sake. How had this gone so horribly wrong?
“Who did you call earlier?” Kaine asked.
“Benny’s father. He’s heard the rumors, but there’s nothing we can do except not repeat them.”
“You can stop trying to take further advantage of me.”
“I’m not! We are not.”
“Why are you here, then? Dressed to do business,” he added in a disparaging tone.
“I dressed to get into your lousy party!” Truly lousy, although, as insults went, it wasn’t her best.
“And our kiss at the estate auction? Is that a charming New York custom I’m unaware of? Have I been missing out by settling for handshakes instead of the five alarm fire you offered?”
“Oh, for—!” She rolled her eyes to the ceiling, glad for the low light because she was so hot she must be blushing all the way into her cleavage. “I was attracted to you so I kissed you. Is that so hard to believe?”
“That passion was real?” he mocked. “Come here, then.” He set aside his glass with a clink on a glass tabletop. “Let’s finish what we started.”
“God, you’re overbearing!” She closed her fists, but managed to keep them at her side.
His wolfish gaze wasn’t what scared her, though. He wasn’t. It was herself and the stupid impulse in her feet that had nearly carried her forward on his command to do exactly what he said that terrified her. She still wanted to see. To feel.
“I went to the auction for an earring. I kissed a man who interested me. I’ve since realized what a mistake that was.”
“It was,” he agreed. “A big one.” He picked up his drink again, adding in a smooth, lethal tone, “I have half a mind to accept Rohan’s latest offer just to punish you.”
“Don’t,” she said through gritted teeth, telling herself she shouldn’t be shocked at how vindictive and ruthless he was. She’d already seen him in action.
He smirked. “It’s amazing how quickly that little sparkler brings you to heel. I’m starting to think it has a cold war spy transmitter in it that’s still active.”
“I’m starting to think this sounds like extortion. Why are you being so heavy-handed?”
“So that you understand all that’s at stake as we discuss terms.”
She shifted, uncomfortable, and folded her arms. “What exactly are you asking me to do, then?”
“You’re adorable. I’m not asking. I’m telling you that, starting now, you’re going to portray yourself as my latest and most smitten lover.” He savored that pronouncement with a sip of wine that he seemed to roll around on his tongue.
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