Book 2 - Page 155 (1/2)

”I neither need nor want your congratulations, Elena. I'm surprised and disappointed to see you here.”

She arches an eyebrow. I think she's impressed.

”I wouldn't have thought of you as a worthy adversary, Anastasia. But you surprise me at every turn.”

”I haven't thought of you at all,” I lie, coolly. Christian would be proud. ”Now if you'll excuse me, I have much better things to do than waste my time with you.”

”Not so fast, missy,” she hisses, leaning against the door, effectively blocking it. ”What on earth do you think you're doing, consenting to marry Christian? If you think for one minute you can make him happy, you're very much mistaken.”

”What I'm consenting to do with Christian is none of your concern.” I smile with sar-castic sweetness. She ignores me.

”He has needs - needs you cannot possibly begin to satisfy,” she gloats.

”What do you know of his needs?” I snarl. My sense of indignation flares brightly, burning inside me as adrenaline surges through my body. How dare this f**king b.i.t.c.h preach to me? ”You're nothing but a sick child molester, and if it was up to me, I'd toss you into the seventh circle of h.e.l.l and walk away smiling. Now get out of my way - or do I have to make you?”

”You're making a big mistake here, lady.” She shakes a long, skinny, finely manicured finger at me. ”How dare you judge our lifestyle? You know nothing, and you have no idea what you're getting yourself into. And if you think he's going to be happy with a mousy little gold-digger like you...”

That's it! I throw the rest of my lemon martini in her face, drenching her.

”Don't you dare tell me what I'm getting myself into!” I shout at her. ”When will you learn? It's none of your G.o.dd.a.m.ned business!”

She gapes at me, horror struck, wiping the sticky drink off her face. I think she's about to lunge at me, but she's suddenly shunted forward as the door opens.

Christian is standing in the doorway. It takes him a nanosecond to a.s.sess the situation - me ashen and shaking, her soaked and livid. His lovely face darkens and contorts with anger as he comes to stand between us.

”What the f**k are you doing, Elena?” he says, his voice glacial and laced with menace.She blinks up at him. ”She's not right for you, Christian,” she whispers.

”What?” he shouts, startling both of us. I can't see his face but his whole body has tensed, and he radiates animosity.

”How the f**k do you know what's right for me?”

”You have needs, Christian,” she says her voice softer.

”I've told you before - this is none of your f**king business,” he roars. Oh c.r.a.p - Very Angry Christian has reared his not-so-ugly head. People are going to hear.