“Yeah, you’re another dumbass who is in my way. Better question, doyouknow who I am?”
Preston took a step to the side and glanced around Remy. Rage flashed in his eyes as he locked his stare on Jacqueline.
A shiver skated down her spine.
“I do recognize the voice from our previous chat on the phone,” Preston allowed. “But I’m hardly what you’d call impressed.”
“Don’t worry. You will be. Ditch the councilman, or I air all your dirty laundry right now.”
Preston laughed, as if Remy had just told the most hilarious joke in the world. He also slapped a hand on Remy’s shoulder. “I have no dirty laundry,” he said,hisvoice low. Then he turned back toward the table. Louder now, he said, “Griffin, I’m afraid I need to have a private business chat with my associate. It’s been fabulous catching up with you, and we will definitely talk more later.”
Griffin paused with his champagne flute half-way to his mouth. Then he took the hint. Or order or whatever it had been. He drained the flute and shot to his feet. “Right. Understand those chats. Got some scheduled for the day myself.” His headbobbed. “Be seeing you later.” He straightened his suit coat. When he ambled away, he had a charming smile on his face that he sent toward several tables and country club members.
“Breathe,” Remy whispered to Jacqueline.
Her breath expelled. Had she seriously beenholdingher breath? Crap, she had. But now she was sucking air in and out, and Remy’s hand was at the base of her back as he guided her toward the waiting table.
Preston had already taken his seat once again, and his gaze noted the proprietary move of Remy’s hand.
“Awful considerate of you to bring her back to me,” Preston said, his voice carrying only to them. “After our little phone chat, I did not expect this to be your next move.”
Remy pulled out a chair for Jacqueline. Gratefully, she sank into it. Much better to sit than to stand on trembling knees.
Remy took a seat right next to her.
“How much?” Preston wanted to know as he sipped his mimosa. “Of course, I’m appreciative. Glad you could do the job that Nate and Tim couldn’t, but I’m sure there is a price tag involved.”
It looked as if Preston was going to take the bait. Remy was supposed to be conning the guy, so she kept her game face on.Remy isn’t here to sell me out.He was on her side, and they were taking Prestondown.
“Twenty million,” Remy announced quietly.
Her mouth opened. Remained open. Twenty million seemed like far too much.
“You can’t be serious,” Preston snapped. “She’s hardly worth that much money.”
Remy turned his head. He sent Jacqueline a warm, intimate smile. “I happen to think,” he said, voice smooth and soft, “thatshe’s worthexactlythat much money. And so…” His head angled back toward a glowering Preston. “So do you.”
Preston slammed his champagne flute down on the table. “You sonofabitch.”
Remy’s head moved in a disappointed shake. “That is not the way to go about making new friends.”
“I am not paying you twenty million dollars!” A hiss.
“Fine. Then just give me the safe…because clearly, I have myownsafecracker. She can get the money for me.”
The safe.Wasn’t that why Preston must want her? He had another safe for her to crack. But the twenty-million talk was throwing her. She managed to snap her mouth closed. Jacqueline tried to school her expression.
“What safe?” Preston’s brow furrowed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. My fiancée got a case of bridal jitters, and she ran away. I was terribly concerned about her well-being, so I sent my security team out to make certain she was all right and that she came home again.” His lips curled down as his stare swept over Jacqueline. “Darling, you have nothing to fear from me. Like I told you before, you’ll always belong to me.”
Beneath the table, her hands curled into fists.
“The fuck she will,” Remy returned pleasantly. “And bullshit really gets on my nerves. How about we drop it? I’m not a man who wastes time. You have something I want. Give it to me, or I’ll destroy you.”
“Excuse me?”Preston laughed.
Remy, she noticed, did not.
Remydidlean forward and swipe a croissant from the tray in the middle of the table. He proceeded to eat it slowly, as if he didn’t have a care in the world.