Page 29 of Revenge

His handsome features twisted. “She did this.”

My brows drew together. As much as I wanted Charlotte shunned, it couldn’t be for something she hadn’t done. “Are you sure? What would she have to gain?”

“You heard me admit to broadcasting her blow job video. This is her revenge.”

“How did you even get hold of that recording?” I asked. “That evening, when I hid under the common room table, I dropped my phone the moment I realized what you two were doing.”

He smirked. “You were probably too fixated on my cock to notice my other hand. It was holding the smartphone. Charlotte always closes her eyes when she sucks me off… Something to do with her gag reflex not working if she multitasks. She isn’t exactly the brightest of girls.”

My stomach dropped. The more I got to know of him, the more I wanted him ruined. “Why did you set things up to make it look like I’d broadcasted the video?”

He grimaced. “Sorry about that… Before I became friends with Edward and Henry, Charlotte made my life here miserable. Even though she’s forgotten about it, I never have.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you framed me.”

“I thought it would hurt her more if the video came from someone she saw as a threat.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “You must have known she would go psycho.”

“She has never attacked anyone in the six years I’ve known her.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and turned on the pleading eyes. “I thought she would rush out of the campsite in tears.”

My nostrils flared, but I held my tongue. We were even now. Sort of. Even if Elder House saw Blake as some kind of hero, the rest of the country thought he was a scheming braggart and a drug addict. That had to be worse than Charlotte’s kick to my guts and a mug of hot cocoa in the face.

I took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. In my most soothing voice, I said, “Sorry that this happened. I know what it’s like to be slandered, and it isn’t pleasant.”

He squeezed back, likely too upset to take the hint. “Thanks for sticking by me.”

“Anytime.” I pulled him into an alcove and cupped his cheeks with both hands. “Anytime the pressure of being the royal family’s fall guy becomes too much, speak to me.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist. “This is nice.”

“Hmmm?” I smiled into his soft gaze.

“Talking to you like this. I’ve only ever felt close to Henry and Edward.”

I ran my thumb over his high cheekbone. After seeing footage of his stunning mother, I could understand how he got those handsome looks. He stared down at me with hooded eyes the color of molten chocolate.

A spasm of desire rippled through my heart. Blake had one of those faces that could make a girl fall into a stupor of lust and fascination. It was no wonder Charlotte had forgotten their tumultuous past. Before I let him mesmerize me, I raised myself to my tiptoes and placed a chaste kiss on his forehead.

Blake sighed and pulled me into his body, engulfing me in his sandalwood and spice scent. To make my facade of offering comfort complete, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

The comfort of his larger frame and strong muscles was deceptive. Why hadn’t he confided in me that the kidnappers weren’t a danger because Henry had arranged the entire abduction? I might have raged at them for a few days, but would never have gone behind their backs and called the police. Blake must have known that his flippant answer to my worries would never have convinced me of Henry’s safety.

“You feel so good,” he murmured into my neck.

“This is perfect,” I lied.

Even though Blake had hurt me tremendously, my chest twinged with guilt. I was the biggest hypocrite, standing there, giving him comfort over something I had set into motion, but I had to follow through on this plan. Not only did Rudolph expect it, but I had sworn to myself that I wouldn’t rest until I’d completed my revenge against the triumvirate.

* * *

The following week, a courier brought a dozen red roses to the head table. A hush fell across the dining room, and I glanced at Blake, wondering if they had come from him. He shook his head. A bulky envelope accompanied the roses, and when I opened it, a dozen invitations spilled out. I smiled. Jackie had organized this and hired Sergei to play, making it look like he’d sent the invitations and roses.

ST VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE BALL

Penthouse Suite - Waterloo Towers

Performance by Sergei Bachmann