Page 50 of Red Retaliation

“Lesson number one: don’t believe everything you hear about me, Arianna. Most of it is bullshit - especially when it comes fromcertainsources.”

Turning away, I silently wonder what else I’ve been told is the complete opposite of the truth.

“Anyway, never mind that now.” Red grabs my hand, and this time I don’t feel the immediate urge to pull away. “Come this way.”

As he tugs me in the direction of what looks like a private function room off the main casino, my nerves return with a vengeance.

“They’re waiting in here for us.”

Red leads me closer to the private room. I feel like I’m being led to my execution. I open my mouth to repeat the fears I’ve already voiced, but there’s no time before I’m whisked through double doors.

It’s only while this happens do I notice the curious looks the casino staff covertly send my way. I’ve been so engrossed with the unexpected appearance of this pristine club to take on board these strange stares, but now it threatens to spiral me off course.

It’s hardly surprising I’m getting weird looks. Who I am, as far as they’re concerned, is a mystery.

Short of the handful of staff, such as the cleaner and a couple of others bringing things to my room, no one is aware of my presence. Even if they told their colleagues, it probably wouldn’t have been believed. Or...

An uncomfortable shiver jolts along my spine as a more likely scenario pushes into my brain. It’s feasible they took the reports of the “unknown woman” in Red Bateman’s personal room to be another “conquest”. He’s well known for collecting them.

Yet now, that “unknown woman” parades around in a wedding dress...

My nerves jangle as I pull against Red’s purposeful stride. Now, as I’m led to the front of the room like an exhibit, the sea of seated reporters comes into focus, along with an audible gasp, quickly followed by blinding camera flashes. “Red, I...”

“Just keep calm and play the game,” Red hisses into my ear, his voice containing a tone of slight threat. I chill inside, yet to everyone else in the room, his face holds the look of pure elation, while in contrast, I’m sure I look like a startled rabbit.

How does he do it?

I blink against the onslaught of flashbulbs and raise my arm to shield my eyes, praying my expression matches something Red expects. But how can I look joyful and a picture of contented happiness when I’m a lamb to the slaughter?

I have no idea, but I must try.

CHAPTER

35

Red

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I thank you for coming.” My voice booms over the collection of press who, now their initial sea of photographs has stopped, itch to ask the questions everyone wants answering.

Many of those questions I’m more than happy to accommodate. After all, that is why they are here, is it not? But I’ll only answerrelevantquestions - ones to subtly inflict the maximum damage to the Galvatores and Bristonis.

Spotting a reporter in the front row, who I immediately recognize to be a young and eager to progress through the ranks type, desperate for a scoop to accelerate his career, my eyes narrow. I’ve heard this prat question people before. He has no tact or control. He hasn’t tried this on me - not yet, but if he values his fucking life, he’ll do best not to go down that road.

My face holds the well-practiced, confident smile which I reserve for incidents like this or when dealing with the police. “I’m sure by now you’ve worked out why I’ve invited you here today...”

My arm finds its way around Arianna’s slender shoulders, and just the feel of her velvet skin sends ripples of electric through me. But despite the raging urge to run my tongue along her collarbone and up to her mouth, I do not falter. I want to know if my persisting thought that she must taste of peaches is true, but I must keep control. Iwillkeep control. “May I present my beautiful new wife, Arianna.”

It’s then my brothers enter the room, and I stiffen. If they so much asthinkof making comments or deliver even a whiff of an expression to spoil my plan, then journalists present or not, I’ll bring the whole shithouse down.

And wouldn’t that make a helpful front page...

Arianna also spots my brothers and I give her shoulder a small reassuring squeeze to affirm I won’t let them fuck anything up. I have to trust they won’t humiliate or embarrass her any more than they already have.

My perfect smile remains. “Rather than speculate, I wanted you all to be the first to be officially told of our union.”

A journalist raises his hand. “Many congratulations, Mr Bateman and to you, Mrs Bateman.”

I nod my thanks.This isn’t going badly so far. If I can get this wrapped up quickly, then...