Filed to story: A Matter of Sin and Love Novel Read Free Online
Squaring her shoulders, half expecting him to stop her, Elena turned and strode along the terrace back towards the bright lights and people.
He let her go. See, it had been easy after all. She’d called Christian’s bluff and that was the end of it.
That was not disappointment she felt. It was relief that she’d never have to see him again.
Christian WATCHED Elena march away. He’d thought nothing about George Morrison could surprise him. Yet Morrison’s daughter had stopped him in his tracks.
Elena. He savoured her name.
Perhaps it had been a mistake pulling away from her. Maybe if he hadn’t kept his distance he’d have shattered this illusion that she was different.
Except it would take more than a quickie up against the garden wall to quench what was inside him.
Which, he assured himself, fitted his plans perfectly.
That was what he had to concentrate on. Revenge. He’d always known it would be sweet. With Elena as an added bonus it would be delicious.
He sauntered to the house. There was no one here he wanted to spend time with. Only Elena. Despite her bravado he’d read her fear. Sensible woman. But he’d allay those fears and ensure she enjoyed their time together.
He’d stopped to tell a waiter about the broken glass on the lower level when Morrison appeared. His pale eyes looked almost febrile, belying his casual stance. Satisfaction stirred. This had been a long time coming. Too long. He intended to enjoy every moment of Morrison’s descent into ruin.
‘All alone, Christian?’ He scowled. ‘Where’s that girl of mine? Don’t tell me she’s left you alone?’
‘Elena was tired.’
‘Tired? I’ll give her tired!’ he roared. ‘I—’
‘It’s better she gets her sleep tonight.’ Christian kept his voice bland though he wanted to grab Morrison by the scruff of his neck and shake him till his teeth rattled.
Because Christian hated him with every fibre of his being? Or because of the way he spoke of Elena? Didn’t the man realise how precious family was? Had he no concept of protecting his child against a man whom everyone knew was as implacable and dangerous as they came?
What sort of man sold his daughter to a stranger?
Christian already knew the answer. George Morrison. The bastard had already destroyed too many lives.
It would be a public service as well as a pleasure to see he got his just deserts.
Darkness engulfed him. No, Christian wouldn’t see him dead, which was what he deserved. Christian had come close to killing once and he’d learned a lot since then. This way was better. Morrison’s suffering would be drawn out.
‘She should have stayed here, with you. I apologise.’
Christian raised his hand. ‘It doesn’t matter. I’ll see her tomorrow.’
‘You will?’ The older man’s expression stilled. ‘So, you’re interested? In Elena?’ Was that barely concealed shock in his voice? Morrison had no notion what a gem his daughter was. The man was blind as well as deplorable.
Christian had seen the photos of Elena’s sister, a golden girl with obvious allure. Yet if he really sought a bride he wouldn’t choose Felicity Morrison. If reports were accurate, she hadn’t a loyal bone in her body.
Did Elena really believe her sister would stick with this new lover, or did she merely try to protect her from the danger he, Christian, represented?
The idea of her protecting anyone from him was ludicrous, given his far superior power and resources. Yet the notion stuck and he filed it away for future consideration.
‘It was a delight meeting someone so refreshing and intelligent.’ Forthright and clever enough to be suspicious, Elena had intrigued from the instant she’d looked at him.
Morrison didn’t quite hide his satisfaction. His smile was hungry. ‘It’s wonderful you hit it off so well. I’d hoped you would. There’s no telling with Elena; sometimes she can be a little…’
‘A little…?’
Morrison shrugged and took a swig of his drink. ‘To be frank, she can be a little outspoken sometimes. But in a good way, of course. Refreshing, as you say.’
He smiled that conspiratorial smile as if they were good buddies and Christian had to repress the compulsion to slam his fist into the other man’s whiter than white capped teeth. He’d done a lot of things in his time, some of them society had labelled reprehensible. But nothing that sickened him like playing Morrison’s temporary friend.
‘I prefer honesty to polite platitudes.’ Especially when those platitudes hid murky secrets.
‘Don’t we all?’
‘Meeting your daughter has helped me feel I know you better. That’s important if we’re to work together.’
‘I thought you’d see it that way.’ Morrison paused, then said carefully, ‘So, you want to proceed with the partnership and the loan?’ His absolute stillness gave him away. He was strung tight.
Grim satisfaction filled Christian. ‘Definitely. This is too good an opportunity to miss.’
It had taken years of preparation to reach this point, and now he was poised to destroy Morrison financially and socially. If he couldn’t put him behind bars for his crimes, Christian would at least see he lost what he cared for most. ‘My staff are ready to meet at ten tomorrow to discuss the details.’
‘You won’t be there?’ Concern flared in Morrison’s eyes. Excellent. It was time he discovered he couldn’t keep running from the consequences of his actions.
‘My staff are competent to handle the meeting. I plan to be with Elena, getting to know her better.’
‘I’m sure she’ll love that.’
Not initially, Christian knew, but he’d change her mind. He looked forward to it.
‘Does that mean you liked my notion of a Edwards-Morrison marriage?’ Morrison looked urbane and relaxed, yet the ripple on the surface of his whisky betrayed him.
Christian scrutinised him, from his deep tan and perennially gold hair to the gloss only close acquaintance with serious money could buy. That didn’t hide the mean lines around his mouth, the avaricious gleam in those pale blue eyes or the pugnacious angle of that thick jaw.
He knew what Morrison was. Imagine him as a father. No wonder his eldest daughter was a beautiful waste of space. Which made his younger daughter…what, exactly?
‘Christian?’ Morrison didn’t sound quite so smug now.
‘The marriage idea?’ Christian took his time, relishing the other man’s unease. ‘I think it’s an excellent one.’
Morrison’s eyes widened momentarily before his face eased into a calculating look. ‘Elena is a special girl, and lucky.’ His toothy smile reminded Christian of a crocodile. Or maybe it was just that he knew Morrison to be as cold-blooded as any reptile.
Despite the money he’d made, Christian had no illusions that he was love’s young dream. Not with his criminal record. He was the sort of man parents prayed their daughter would never bring home.
Yet here was Morrison thrusting his unsuspecting daughter into Christian’s arms. Was there anything Morrison wouldn’t do for money?
‘And Elena agreed?’ Pale eyes fixed on him.
‘Elena understands what I want. We’ll sort out the details soon.’
‘It will be a pleasure welcoming you to the family.’ Morrison made to shake hands but Christian pretended not to notice, turning to snag a wine glass from a passing waiter.
‘Here’s to the wedding that will make us family.’ Morrison raised his glass.