Chapter 22
Osborn’s expression faltered for a split second before a sly, almost mocking smile tugged at his lips as he shook McNeil’s hand.
The handshake was firm–too firm. Both men could feel the unspoken hostility in the pressure of each other’s grip.
“Osbom. Vicky’s-” he paused, gaze flicking to Victoria, “old friend from university.
Osborn didn’t bother hiding the way he sized McNeil up, his look openly challenging, bordering on provocative
“So you’re the mysterious husband Vicky’s been hiding all this time? Did you two really get married, or is that just another smoke screen you cooked up. Vicky?”
Victoria lowered her gaze, the shadow of a bitter smile twisting her lips. Of course. Everyone–her friends, her family–all knew about her so–called “secret” marriage.
But in McNeil’s world, no one really knew Victoria at all
“Secret marriage? That’s not quite right,” McNeil replied, utterly unruffled. He laced his fingers with Victoria’s, as if making a statement for all to see. Victoria tried to pull away, almost recoiling from his touch, but his grip was unyielding. With Osborn right there, she didn’t want to make a scene, so she let him hold on.
Victoria’s remarkable. I want her by my side. Our marriage is ready to be public, whenever she wants.”
There was no hint of embarrassment in McNeil’s voice–just blunt honesty, especially with this would–be rival standing right in front of
him.
He was a man, he could read the meaning in Osborn’s eyes well enough.
But Victoria had never mentioned this s man before.
Then again, she’d never mentioned anyone else in his presence. In six years of marriage, their conversations had revolved almost exclusively around work and the bedroom.
McNeil looked an Victoria, his voice unexpectedly gentle, a husband dating on his wife. “Have you eaten? It’s cold here in Echo City. I’ll drive you home.”
Osborn, tired of McNeil’s performance, let out a faint, derisive chuckle but held back from embarrassing Victoria
“Vicky-”
“Let’s not, Osborn. I’m heading home, Victoria cut him off, making it clear she didn’t need anyone to speak up for her?
If McNeil had flown all this way to find her, he hadn’t come unprepared.8
After six years of manage, she knew: McNeil never gave up until he got what he wanted.
Outside the restaurant, McNeil ushered her straight to his car. He pushed her into the back seat, closed the windows, and locked the doors.
He pressed Victoria down against the leather, the only light in the cur the faint orange glow from a streetlamp outside. She could see the wild glint in his eyes–raw, almost feral.
“Victoria, you’re something else”
He’d been looking for her for over two weeks, scouring every place she might have gone: He’d even visited the Miller family, all in his Search for her
Now, their bodies were so close she could hear the ragged rhythm of both their hearts. were so close she could hear the rugged rhythm of
“Who was that man?” he demanded, his tone thick with jealousy
Jealousy?
Victoria almost laughed. No, she didn’t deserve McNeil’s jealousy. That kind of emotion belonged to a husband who actually cared about his wife, and she she didn’t quality
“it’s none of your business, she replied icily!
Her words only made him angner He twisted her wrists behind her back, pinning her so she couldn’t move, then crushed his lipa to hers In that forceful kiss, McNeil tasted the sharp tang of red wi
“You drank with him. What’s next were you planning to get a room together?
Victona just laughed, cold and bright “Mr. Langford, you’ve got the wrong woman I’m Victoria, not Violet. If you’re jealous, maybe you should save it for the right person
She stared at his handsome face, feeling nothing–no anger no pain, just an odd curiosity, even if he’d found out she was in Evermore City, how had he tracked her down to this very spot?
“Victoria” McNeil ground her name out between clenched teeth, glaring at her “There’s nothing between me and Violet Nothing.”
