Page 261 of Double or Nothing

Christopher springing himself on Alice with fake news, then taking advantage of it, producing a ring for her finger.

A dying wish brought to life before an audience. Except nobody is dying.

“What a fucking parasite,” I say.

Bryce grits his teeth, fighting the pain.

“Alice believed him. She looked at Trevor when Christopher got down on one knee. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“That cunt deserves a punch in the face, not a new fiancée.”

The whole situation gives me a nasty shiver. Something very close to the bone that makes me… uncomfortable. Pained.

Christopher knew full well that Soul Girl would sacrifice herself rather than disappoint a dying man. Her own father must have trained that instinct into her from a kid, servitude at all costs. And Christopher used it to his advantage.

Bryce himself has handed William Parker the same set of aces over his own life, because he needs the man’s approval more than he needs his own freedom. Poor deluded bastard.

And me?

I don’t need anyone.

That’s always been an advantage.

No leverage. No hostages. No chance of failing to become what somebody needs. An excellent system.

Flawless… right up until two people appeared and made me start giving a shit about them.

“Where’s Alice now?”

“Still at the house.”

“You left her there? At the party? She must have spoken to you, yes? If you know Christopher lied to her.”

His face closes. Stiffens.

“Yes, I spoke to her. She ran after me.”

“What?”

“When I left the marquee. She followed me into the house and pulled me into a broom cupboard so nobody would see us.”

I feel the colour draining from my own face in line with Bryce’s.

“What did she say?”

“That she hadn’t known Christopher was going to propose. She told me about Trevor and said she couldn’t refuse in front of him. Not knowing he was dying.”

“And you told her the truth? About Trevor?”

Bryce nods. “I told her about Miami, yes.”

“Fucking hell.” I take a breath. “What did she do then?”

His eyes lower.

“She asked me what she should do.”

The answer twists inside me. Alice asked him for help. Vulnerable.