Page 73 of Red Retaliation

“Damn it! If there’s a free bar, I should have held out a bit longer before taking this promotion!” Keith laughs.

“This will cost a mint, Red! Are you sure about it?” Liam presses. “And what’s this got to do with Slater?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I’d done little but think all night, when I should have been asleep. I push the hotel brochure into the center of my desk. “I want the conference suite booked - the one on the top floor of the hotel - for a date as soon as possible. Also, book up the rooms on the entire two floors below the conference suite.”

Oscar takes the brochure. “Okay, I’ll do it. But why book out the entire two top floors? Are we paying for the second-tier staff to stay over as well?”

“Of course!” I grin. “We’ll each have a room on the uppermost floor, and the rooms on the floor below will be for the second tier. The room directly belowmyroom will be Slater’s... I hope that answers your question...”

Liam and Oscar exchange glances and grin for the first time in ages. They knowexactlywhat I’m planning.

“Will someone tell the rest of us what the plan is because I haven’t got a clue!” Del raises both his hands. Keith also looks confused.

“It’s something we’ve done once before, a long time ago,” I explain. “It works extremely well, but I’ll tell you all the details soon. Let’s just get the hotel booked first. Give word to the second tier about the event once everything’s confirmed.”

CHAPTER

51

Arianna

STILL STINGING FROM Papà’s rebuff and Red making out our relationship is something it’s not, I’m glad there’s no sign of him. I’m surprised I slept at all the way my mind was swirling.Like it still is.

It’s even more amazing that I slept, knowinghewas next to me and so close.

Brushing my long dark hair, I leave it loose; add a coat of mascara and a dash of lip gloss. That will do. Jeans and a top complete my understated look. I wish to impress no one. Certainly not Red Bateman!

I walk over to the window and then back again, glaring at the breakfast tray brought up by one of Red’s faithful lackeys. The toast and selection of baked pastries, jam and butter are tempting, but I’m too stressed to contemplate eating. I’ve had some freshly squeezed orange juice, though.

But now what?

I listlessly wander back over to the window to look out onto the gray November day.

What am I supposed to do with myself?

As Red’s “wife”, I can’t be expected to remain in this room like an ornament! More to the point, Iwon’t. I have every right to go out and do what I wish. Red insisted I marry him, and now, thanks to his truce of lies, the threat of reprisal doesn’t exist, so there’s nothing to stop me.

He goes out when he wants, and therefore so shall I.

Wherever Red’s gone today, I have no idea - just that he’s not here. It’s a blessing because I don’t trust myself not to get sidetracked around him, and I don’t need my anger diluted. It’s the only thing keeping mesane now.

Pulling on my low heels, I grab my handbag. I accept I lost sight of my situation for a while by allowing this man to infiltrate my brain, but no more.

Sorry, Red, but you’ve screwed up. His acts yesterday have only reminded me how his underhanded manipulation serves his cause and that I’m a pawn for him to play with.

I purposely stride across the room towards the door. Like I promised myself not long ago, yes - I’d marry Red to save my family, but I’d ensure marriage to me was hard work.

And it’s about time I delivered on that.

I glance at the breakfast tray once more as I pass, wondering whether I should place it outside the door and then think better of it. Red’s undoubtedly instructed his staff to spy on me, so they’ll let themselves in under the proviso of collecting trays or changing sheets, when in reality they’ll snoop around to collate information on me.

Let them. I don’t care.

Hang on, what’s that?

The headline of today’s newspaper folded on the tray next to the croissants catches my eye. Snatching it up, I scan the article.

My mouth drops open in shock.