Because I will always win.
Always.
“You say that now.” Victor’s unease about the evening’s events is evident, another way he is different from Sebastian.
Sebastian would be calm. Cool. Collected. Ready to stand at my side when the chips fell.
I slam my glass down on the smooth wood bar top. “And I will say it again.” I snap it out, making it clear I’m not interested in anything else Victor might have to say.
Especially since I know where this conversation is going.
I down what’s left of my scotch before adding in a few fingers from the next bottle in line. The whiskey is sharper, burning my throat as I swallow the first sip on my way to my office. I’m done with Victor and I’m done with this night.
“Other men might follow you into the depths of hell, Andre.” Victor’s words are surprisingly defiant. “But I won’t.”
I want to ignore him. I was finished with this discussion before it began, but the insinuation slowly turns me around. I stare him down as the seconds tick by, waiting until he shifts on his feet before I offer the only response he will get from me on the matter. “Apparently you didn’t realize we’re already there.”
Victor attempts to speak again as I shove open the door to the only respite I have in the world, intent on finally getting the peace I’m seeking.
I barely make it two steps in before I stop in my tracks.
Duchess stands at the long line of windows edging one wall of the space, her lean frame illuminated by the lights of the city below. She slowly turns to face me, the sequins of her ill-fitting gown glimmering with the movement. The white queen from my chess set is clutched in one hand, her knuckles pale from how tight she’s squeezing it.
Her lips part on a gasp when her eyes land on mine.
She’s terrified of me. It’s just as obvious now as it was in the club. Her gaze doesn’t fall favorably on me like it did Frederick.
I shouldn’t care. It shouldn’t matter.
So it won’t.
I shoot her a scowl that will help maintain her unfavorable opinion and turn to leave the room, pulling the door closed behind me before I speak. “Why is she here?”
I made it clear to Victor that she was his responsibility to deal with. Sebastian would have sent her on her way and kept my life free from this unnecessary interruption.
“I tried to tell you.” A smirk teases at Victor’s lips. “She refused to be taken home.”
I turn to look back at the closed door as if it might give me insight into a situation that makes no sense. “Why?”
Another twitch of Victor’s lips. “She said you two had a deal.”
“A deal.” I’m struggling to reconcile what Victor’s saying with the woman currently occupying my personal space.
Duchess wasn’t like the other women on that stage. From the lack of make-up on her face to the simplicity of the dress on her body, she stood out in a way that demanded the attention of every man in the room.
And every cock attached to them.
No doubt Frederick’s at home now, stroking himself to the memory of the willowy woman with pale hair and a timid disposition.
My own dick twitches, like it thinks I might entertain the possibility in front of me.
It should know better.
“Take her home.” It’s a demand. One a good second would have carried out the first time.
“I’m not leaving.” The voice behind me is so unexpected I react before I think, immediately spinning to the door I know I closed.
Duchess stands tall under my gaze, lifting her chin a little as I overtly drag it down her body.