Destined for Power by Kathleen Brooks Read Free Book Online

giggled.
    “Mallory Westin? Where have you been? Not in my bed where you belong, that’s for sure,” a deep voice said from behind her. She fought the urge to roll her eyes. The girls at the table all giggled and fanned themselves.
    Mallory took her time turning around. “Bowie! If only I’d been in your bed, I wouldn’t be so bored now.”
    “Let’s see what we can do to rectify that. Come dance with me. Excuse me, ladies, I have a woman to seduce.” Bowie winked to the girls around the VIP table.
    Already they had their phones out and the first time Bowie’s hand slid down to squeeze her bottom as they danced, she heard the social media world explode. Pictures of her and Bowie would be all over the tabloids by morning, and Liam would know she was back in town.
     
    * * *
     
    His hands were on her the second the elevator doors closed. His lips were hard on hers, and she ran her hands roughly through his hair. He shoved her against the wall and devoured her until the doors to the elevator opened. They stumbled out and kissed their way to her room.
    “Heaven help me, Mallory, are you sure we can’t continue?” Bowie said out of breath as soon as the door to her room closed.
    “Sorry, Bowie. As much fun as it would be, we both know it’s not a good idea. Can you make sure that video footage gets leaked?”
    “Yeah. I’m friends with one of the guys in security. He’ll release it for me. Do you think it will work?”
    Mallory nodded. “I need to make Liam think I’m not here for him. If he thinks he’s won me, he’s more likely to trust me and not doubt why I’m suddenly back after all these years.”
    Bowie walked over to the bedroom and a second later came back with a pillow and blanket. “Sounds like a plan. I have a feeling I’ll get a lot of action after you break my heart and choose Liam. Maybe this will be good for me.”
    “And there’s the reason you’re sleeping on the couch tonight. Goodnight, Bowie.”
    “Goodnight, Mal.”
    Mallory closed the door and let out a deep breath. So far, so good. By the next night, she would have reentered international society with a splash. She just hoped Reid didn’t see it. It shouldn’t matter to her; after all, she’d seen him with models in the papers. He had moved on. She needed to as well. After this assignment, she would. Her phone rang, and she dug it out of her cleavage.
    “Hi, Elle. What’s up?” she asked her best friend.
    “You’re getting married?” Elle accused.
    “Wow, word travels fast.”
    “So the tabloids are right; you’re actually getting married?”
    “Maybe. I thought it was time to start looking to settle down.” It hurt Mallory to lie, but she had to keep her cover. She couldn’t risk Elle saying anything to anyone.
    “What about love? And this guy at the club, do you even know him?” Mallory tried not to cry at the worry in her friend’s voice. Elle had loved her unconditionally, even when it appeared she’d gone buck-wild during college and afterward.
    “Bowie? I’ve known him since I was nineteen,” Mallory answered truthfully.
    “Well, that’s good. But are you really going to marry him?”
    “Oh, I don’t know.”
    Mallory pulled up one of the gossip sites and cringed at the picture. It was from the club and her breasts were pressed against Bowie’s chest, and his hands were pulling her bottom against him while he kissed her. The headline read Wild Heiress Ready to Settle Down?
    “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy for you,” Elle said with forced support.
    “Thanks, Elle. I just want what you and Drake have,” Mallory said truthfully. Her best friend had married her true love, but Mallory knew she’d never have that. Her true love rightfully hated her. She doubted he’d believe she’d said all those things to protect him.
    Mallory had written a letter as soon as Reid had fled her bedroom that night. The next day she had found her own lawyer and finance expert. She began the separation of