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I had my reasons for this action, and Cameron knew these reasons exactly. He had once taken everything I wanted to have.
The thing with Abigail had backfired, though, because since that evening, I'd been stuck with Abigail. Somehow, she had managed to cling to me thoroughly. She suspected an affair behind every woman I met. I didn't put up with that for long.
"Oh Cameron. It was such luck for you that I stole your fiancée back then," I replied now. "If I hadn't so passionately fucked Abigail, and you hadn't caught us in the act, you wouldn't be marrying your lovely wife next week."
"Keep your hands off her," Cameron hissed. Even through the phone, I thought I could hear a spray of saliva droplets.
I grinned. "I don't even know her yet. But I'm sure she's charming."
"There's a good reason you don't know her."
Of course. Cameron wanted to prevent me from making a move on his precious bride again. But I had no interest in that. Whatever the woman Cameron was leading to the altar looked like, she certainly couldn't compare to Isabella Abbott.
"You won't destroy my future again."
"I don't intend to. Brother dear." This time I was the one using the affectionate address. With the appropriate ironic undertone, of course. Again, I took a deep sip of whiskey from the glass. The last sip. With quiet regret, I let the liquid trickle down my throat.
"Hanny belongs to me." Cameron staked his claim.
Hanny. What an old-fashioned name. Was the woman possibly older than Cameron?
"Don't worry, brother dear. I'm bringing my lovely fiancée next week."
"I heard about that. Our grandmother called me and was delighted that you've finally come to your senses and are ready to enter the harbor of marriage."
"Yes, I can imagine."
"You've really stepped in it with Donovan Hayden Ellesmere."
"How so?" I asked innocently. "He offered me his daughter like a plate of cold potatoes that nobody wants. I simply declined. I much prefer a warm body."
"You can forget about that contract. I can't believe you even tried to influence Donovan to reconsider the whole thing."
"What do you mean, influence?" I wanted to know angrily. "I asked him for an appointment to discuss the whole matter again. That's all. And that's certainly not forbidden!"
"Appointment!" Cameron snorted contemptuously. "Who knows what would have happened if your fiancée hadn't coincidentally been nearby. I wouldn't put anything past you. You might have even gotten involved with Abigail again, just to get the contract."
Cameron knew me well. He was aware that I had thought about exactly that. Of course, I kept that to myself.
"Not necessary. I definitely don't want Abigail back."
"Your fiancée must be quite a hottie for you to let the deal of your life slip away," Cameron now needled.
"Don't be jealous," I grinned. "Or have you already gotten bored with Hanny? You're not cheating on her before the wedding, are you?"
"Shut your mouth."
Of course, I did no such thing. "Don't celebrate too soon: The contract hasn't been decided yet. So far, it's just about the test vehicles. That doesn't mean anything. The contract could still go to me."
"You can't seriously believe that. No one has ever gotten a contract without equipping the test vehicles."
"There's always a first time," I replied, discreetly glancing at my Montblanc watch. Isabella was due to arrive any moment. Better to get rid of Cameron as quickly as possible.
"In any case, you've orchestrated this engagement nicely. Grandmother's money..." Cameron began. I interrupted him sharply.
"Our grandmother isn't even in the ground yet. I'll be damned if I start distributing the money now."
"Don't tell me that's not exactly why you're bringing a woman." Cameron was leaving no stone unturned to provoke me.