And she didn’t plan on fucking me even once?
That seemed unlikely.
Eventually, she would cave. She would open her legs and ask me to fuck her—and I would turn her down.
See how she liked it.
I stopped at the table in the entryway and saw the pile of mail that needed to be sorted. Most of it was bullshit, paper that shouldn’t have been used in the first place. Too tired after meeting with my father, I decided to deal with it tomorrow and headed up the stairs.
I’d been thinking about our plan so deeply I almost didn’t notice Arwen standing there.
In a purple dress with one strap that crossed her shoulder, she had her hair and makeup done like she was off for a night at the opera. Her eyelashes were so thick, just as they were the last time I kissed her. Her makeup was applied so well, it almost looked natural—even though it was stage makeup. The strange thing about Arwen was how good she looked with or without makeup. She looked amazing, no matter what.
I had no idea what she wanted, but the second she spoke, something stupid would come out of her mouth. Just looking at her pissed me off. She’d teased me too many times now, and I just wanted her to disappear. Marrying her had sucked in the beginning—but now it was unbearable. I gave her a cold look before I kept walking.
“Maverick.”
I ignored her and rounded the landing so I could move up the next flight of stairs. When I hadn’t detested her so much, I’d given her my attention when she asked for it. When she’d needed a friend, I’d been there for her. When she’d needed a shoulder to cry on during her father’s funeral, I’d been there for her.
But now I wasn’t there for her anymore.
I could hear her footsteps behind me. She wore heels, and they gently echoed against the rug that covered the hardwood floor.
I kept going, refusing to give her the time of day. Tomorrow night, I was finally getting vengeance for my mother. I wouldn’t let Ramon slip through my fingers—and I would kill every man who tried to protect him. I didn’t have time for whatever bullshit she wanted to throw at me.
“Maverick.”
I headed to my bedroom, prepared to slam the door in her face.
“Would you just talk to me?”
I turned around when I was on the threshold. “No.” Her beauty had no effect on me, not like it did on everyone else. I’d given in to her looks because I’d had too many drinks in my system, but now I had a clear head. I’d been getting pussy every night, so my dick wasn’t hard up anymore. I turned back into my room and shut the door.
She caught the edge and pushed it open again. “Abigail told me you were at your father’s.”
I slowly turned around, my eyes narrowing. “Anything she doesn’t tell you?” It was so damn humid this evening, the heat was suffocating. Indifferent to her presence, I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it on one of the armchairs, knowing Abigail would pick it up tomorrow when I went to work.
Her gaze immediately went to my chest, her eyes showing a brief instant of vulnerability.
I wasn’t falling for that shit again.
She forced her eyes back to mine. “Are you going to kill that man? The one who hurt your mother?” She stepped farther into my room, inviting herself inside even though she wasn’t welcome. The last time she was there was on our wedding night—and she asked me to take off her dress.
When she asked about my family, I had a hard time ignoring her. Despite the hatred between us, she seemed to care about my grief. She wouldn’t have given me that picture if she didn’t understand how much my mother meant to me. “We’re going to capture him tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow?” she whispered, a tone of surprise in her voice.
“Yes.” I sat in the chair and took off my shoes and socks, doing my nightly routine like she wasn’t there. I left them on the ground then stood again, ready to take off my jeans the second she got out of my face.
“Will it be dangerous?”
I respected this woman because she had beauty and brains—but right now, she had neither. “Obviously.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
She tilted her head slightly, the frustration in her eyes. “You should give your mother the vengeance she deserves, but she wouldn’t want you to risk your life for her. I never met her, but I can tell you she would want you to walk away if there was any chance you could get hurt.”
Yes, that was exactly what she would say. “Doesn’t change anything. Now, get out.” I’d almost gone to the bar to pick up a woman for the night, but I’d skipped it because I was too tired. Now I wished I had someone—just to get rid of Arwen.