Page 391 of Double or Nothing

His gaze travels over her with open contempt.

“It means you’re nothing but a slut with a terrible taste in men. Not a respectable woman, deserving of a title.”

“Be careful, Otley,” Bryce says.

Christopher ignores him, keeping his attention on Alice.

“Who’d have ever imagined your ability to provide the Parker family with an heir was worth all this money and humiliation? Your womb was always your most useful attribute, and you’re handing the entry over to two pussy loving pricks. I think that’s called being a slut, Alice, not a woman of stature.”

Bryce moves before anyone else. He steps forward, eyes glowering.

“Don’t you fucking dare speak about Alice that way.”

Christopher steps up to meet him.

“Fuck off, Maddocks. She’s a slut, and you’re taking advantage of her. Jealous prick. I should’ve seen it coming. Such an envious little cunt, just like you always were.”

Christopher shoves him hard in the chest, and Bryce stumbles against the desk.

I’m ready to make my move to intervene and go storming on in there, but Bryce straightens. Something changes in his face. Something I haven’t seen before.

I’ve seen Bryce frightened, embarrassed and heartbroken. I’ve seen him furious but passive, typical of a man trained never to inconvenience powerful people.

But I have never seen him like this.

He’s absolutely fucking livid, teeth gritted as he swings an arm, lunges and punches Otley in the face. The impact snaps Christopher’s head sideways. Bryce’s fist lands smack, bang on his nose, the crack so loud it fucking echoes.

For one astonished second, nobody moves.

Christopher staggers into the chair. Blood spilling down his top lip.

BT stands before him, flexing his hand, eyes wide, almost as shocked as everyone else.

“I said, don’t you dare speak about Alice like that,” he repeats.

Christopher touches the blood on his top lip, then lunges in retaliation, but Eli moves like a hawk, sweeping straight in.

A firm grip on Otley’s shoulder. A stare that says think again.

Good that he does it instead of me, otherwise I’d likely give Otley a smack from the other side.

“I really do think it’s time you two fucked off now,” Eli says. “Get the fuck out of The Argent and go home. Alice has made her position clear.”

Parker turns towards him.

“Excuse me?! Your guest just assaulted my future son-in-law!”

Christopher lowers his bloodied hand. Shows the blood to Eli like it means something.

“He just fucking punched me!”

“I’m going to call the police!” Parker yells. “I have lawyers out there!”

“Be my guest, but be warned,” Eli shrugs, “they may wish to review the camera footage first.”

Eli looks at Parker, icy eyes at stealth level.

Something colder than anger lives beneath his composure.