Лорен Донер - Smiley

The door opened and a man peered at her. He was a tall man with a blunt haircut and harsh features. It was difficult to determine because all Gregory’s people wore suits but he was probably one of their many bodyguards. “This way.”

She blew out a breath and followed him down the hallway to an office. Carl sat behind the desk. He hung up the phone and stood.

“Thanks, Bruce.”

“No problem, sir.” He shot Vanni a dirty look. “I’ll be close.”

She managed not to roll her eyes. It was ridiculous if he thought she was dangerous. The grim situation dampened her attitude though when she saw how tired her ex looked. Dark circles rimmed his eyes and his normally perfect hair was a bit mused.

“Here’s your grandmother’s ring.” She set it on the edge of the desk. “I wanted to apologize. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

He reached over and snapped open the lid and examined it.

“It’s the right one.” His action irritated her.

He closed the lid, opened a drawer and dropped it inside. “I don’t know what you’re capable of anymore.”

Her lips remained sealed. I deserved that. Ouch .

Carl kept the desk between them. “Why didn’t you just go to the room the way I told you to? None of this would have happened if you had.”

She knew he deserved some answers. “I was mad at you for tricking me into going to that hotel for the weekend. The last thing I wanted to do was pace around the room after our argument or get more lectures from Mable about how I’m not good enough for you. I told you she’s mean. I just thought I’d have a drink, relax a little and then go to bed.”

He stared at her, his mouth a tight line of anger. She knew that expression well. Disapproval was something she often got from him. Their relationship was over but she felt no pain at the loss. Beth might have been right. It would have torn her apart if she’d really been in love with Carl but instead she just wanted to get away from him.

“I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have been engaged to begin with. I concluded that over the weekend. You’re always saying mean things to me and I resented it more than I realized. It’s best for both of us that our relationship ended. I’m never going to be the kind of woman you keep trying to mold me into. I wish you a happy life, Carl. I’ll get my things and go. You’ll never hear from me again.”

He inched around the desk. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“I never meant to hurt you.”

He stepped a little too close for comfort. “No excuses?”

“It happened. I would have told you even if it hadn’t been all over the television. I had planned to see you tomorrow when you came home from the hotel. Obviously you had to leave early. I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”

He appeared a little shocked and irate at the same time, while he closely studied her eyes. Vanni wasn’t sure what he hoped to see but he took a step back and anger won out when he cursed.

“You can’t be that stupid.”

“Excuse me?” That wasn’t a response she expected.

“You were drugged. Why aren’t you telling me that? Didn’t you realize? Feel weird? You should throw yourself at my feet and beg me to still marry you. Dad said you’d do anything to gain my forgiveness.”

The world tilted a little as she stumbled back a step. How did he know I was drugged? Has it leaked to the press? She hadn’t told anyone except Beth. Her best friend wouldn’t betray that secret. It was possible the NSO had released the details. She gripped the desk to steady herself.

“Say something!” Carl yelled, making her jump. “Beg me to forgive you and tell me how it wasn’t your fault.”

It took her a few moments to pull herself together. He appeared to be having a meltdown. It was a bit surprising since she didn’t think he’d take their breakup that hard. He’d been kind of remote emotionally the entire time they’d dated.

“I wouldn’t do that. I slept with another man. I know it’s over. I don’t expect you to still marry me. I couldn’t go through with this wedding even if you somehow managed to get past what happened. I can’t.”

His complexion reddened and he started to breathe faster, almost panting with rage. It scared her a little.

“Where is my stuff? I’ll go.”

“Just like that?”

“What else do you want me to say? Neither of us can pretend nothing happened. Everyone is talking about it. I’m so sorry if this hurt you, Carl. I think I should just get out of here and you’ll never have to see me again. I honestly believe this is for the best. We wouldn’t have had a happy marriage.”

“Did you know you were drugged?” He seemed to be working himself up into a temper tantrum.

“I realized. It doesn’t change the outcome though.”

“What are the police going to do about it?”

“I didn’t go to them.”

“Why not?” He advanced, getting too close again, and kept yelling. “You should want that rapist in prison!”

“He didn’t drug me and it wasn’t rape.”

Carl grabbed her arm. “What?”

Vanni really wanted to get out of there. “You heard me. Just tell me where my things are. I want to leave.” She tugged her wrist, trying to break his hold. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”

He released her and stepped back. His expression changed. The anger left, to be replaced by something cold and calculating. “You liked being fucked by that creature, didn’t you?”

“My things,” she got out. “I’m leaving.”

“I told you she was a slut.” Gregory spoke from behind Vanni. “I kept warning you she wasn’t worthy of being included in this family. Now you see the truth in my assessment.”

She twisted her head, aghast to find him in the room. She hadn’t heard him enter and Carl had told her his father wasn’t going to be there. The older man eyed her disdainfully.

“It’s not going the way you said it would.” Carl sighed. “What now?”

Vanni glanced between them, a bad feeling rising. She wasn’t sure what was going on but wanted to leave. “Where are my things? I’m leaving.”

Gregory snapped his fingers and the bodyguard who’d let her inside the house stepped into the room. He kept his gaze locked on Vanni. “You’ve met Bruce. I wouldn’t attempt to leave just yet if I were you.”

It was a threat. “You know what? Keep my things. I’m out of here.” She tried to walk around Bruce but he blocked her path. She halted and stepped to the side to get past him but he moved with her. “Get out of the way. You can’t keep me here against my will.” She was scared.

“I can.” Gregory sounded confident. “You and I need to come to an understanding.”

She turned and stared at Carl. “Tell them to let me out of here.”

Carl rounded the desk and took a seat behind it. “We’re not engaged any longer.” He glared at her. “Don’t speak to me or expect me to help you. You fucked that creature. I will never forgive you for humiliating me this way. I’ve lost clients since the news broke. Payback is a bitch and so are you for doing this to me. You deserve whatever happens next.”

You asshole . Vanni faced his father. “Tell your bodyguard to get out of my way.”

“Have a seat.” Gregory pointed to a chair by the fireplace. “We need to discuss what you owe us.”

“No.” She backed away. “I returned your mother’s ring to your son. I don’t have anything else that belongs to your family.”

“You’ve cost us a lot of time and money.” Gregory pointed again. “SIT!”

“You can get your deposits refunded for the reception. They said four weeks’ notice was the cutoff point. I paid attention to that. Send me a bill if they don’t return all of it. I’ll put it on my credit card.”