The Art of Retaliation by Arabella Kingsley Read Free Book Online Page A

the curtain.

 
    There was an indignant tut and the window slammed shut.   He knew fine well the ring belonged to
her.   As she turned back into the
room she could hear his laughter and to her surprise found herself gritting her
teeth in anger.   She flopped down on
the bed and opened her laptop bag which she had been
given back minus her laptop and distracted herself with work, reading over the
documents once more.   Forty five minutes later the phone in her room rang.

 
    “Mara, I want you to come down for breakfast,” Stephane commanded.   “I am concerned that you
are not eating anything.”

 
    “I don’t need any food.”

 
    “If you do not come down now I will fetch you myself and carry you
down over my shoulder.   Do I make
myself clear?”

 
    Mara gritted her teeth together.   She had been waiting for him coming to
her room so she could talk to him in private but it looked like she was going
to have to play the game his way for a while.   Besides after the other day she knew
fine well he would carry out his threat and she couldn’t bear the humiliation.

 
    “Crystal.   I am coming.”

 
    The door was open when she tried it confirming that he was now
allowing them free access to the house.   Maxine wasn’t in her room and Mara didn’t want to think too much about
her whereabouts.   Alone she went
down to breakfast.   The only people
present were Stephane and his mother.

 
    “Good morning, Mara. I trust you slept well? he asked in a low deep voice that caressed over her body once again reminding her
of the night before.   She looked
away.

 
    “Yes, thank you,” she mumbled taking a seat.

 
    Mara helped herself to a croissant aware that Stephane was watching her eating habits with concern.   She couldn’t afford a row it may ruin
everything she would just have to force it down.   Her eyes opened wide with appealing
innocence and she smiled mustering all the feminine charm she had available.

 
    “ Mr Garreau ,
there is something important I forgot to mention.”

 
    “ Stephane , please.”

 
    My office is expecting me there today for an important appointment
with Raymond Matisse.   If I don’t
turn up . . .”

 
    “Raymond Matisse?   I have
not seen him in a while.   You will
cancel the appointment,” his tone was flat leaving her in no doubt of its
authority.

 
    Mara finished pouring herself a cup of tea, tensing against the
disappointed shudder she felt rack her body.   What had she expected?   She had to persuade him he wouldn’t just
succumb to her wishes.

 
    “I can’t,” she said firmly.   “They are expecting me.   I am
in the middle of drawing up a contract between one of my major clients and
Matisse’s software company.   You can
guess the importance of this meeting.   Raymond Matisse is dealing with the matter personally.   If I wasn’t to turn up or just cancel .
. .”

 
    The billionaire held up his hand.

 
    “I get the picture.”

 
    Mara grew confident he was about to give in.

 
    “Don’t trust her, Stephane ,” his mother
interrupted their conversation.   “It
will be part of her plan to escape.   She’s not to go,” his mother snapped.

 
    Mara glared at the woman.

 
    “Do you always take orders from your mother?   I thought you were in charge here.”

 
    “No I don’t.   Mara is
right.   We can’t afford to have
anyone looking for her.   But don’t
even think for one moment I am going to allow you to get away with anything,”
he said turning back to face Mara with a dark look.

 
    Mara shook her head innocently and picked up her tea
cup to hide the smile covering her mouth.   Chantal Valoire threw her napkin down defeated and retreated from the room.  

 
    Stephane broke the
silence between them.

 
    “I want to apologize for last night once more.   It was wrong.   I can only assure you it won’t happen
again,” he said quickly meeting her gaze.