Page 307 of Double or Nothing

“Excellent. Long may it continue.”

The words sound courteous, but they aren’t. Christopher understands.

So does Alice.

Bill looks between them, but if he senses the true threat beneath the exchange, he chooses not to challenge it. Not here in public.

“Come along, Chris,” Bill says.

Christopher holds Jack’s gaze.

“Good evening, Reid.”

“Give Trevor my best. I hope he enjoys Miami.”

Shit.

Christopher turns and follows Bill towards the exit.

Alice watches the doors close behind them. The moment they do, the joy drains from her face.

“What the fuck, Jack? I’m going to be in so much trouble.”

Jack stares at her. “Trouble?”

“I didn’t mean to speak to Dad like that, and he definitely wasn’t expecting it from you.” She sucks in a breath. “And as for bringing up Trevor Otley. What the hell?”

“You’re a grown woman,” Jack says. “You don’t need to be in trouble for enjoying your art success, and as for the rest of it. That’s between me and them.”

“It’s between all of us.”

“This is your night,” Jack tells her. “Don’t let your father wreck it with his bullshit. Your paintings just sold for seven figures and you’re still worried about being sent to your room.”

Alice’s expression closes.

“That isn’t fair. It’s not like that.”

“No, Soul Girl. You’re right, but none of this was fair in the first place. Not since you got shackled by the Otley Parker allegiance.”

“Jack,” I say again. “Stop.”

He turns on me.

“What?”

“She doesn’t need a lecture. Not now and definitely not here.”

“I’m not lecturing her. I’m simply pointing out that she has options. Plenty of them.”

Alice folds her arms around herself. “Such as? My family are waiting out there in the car right now, ready to launch an attack on me.”

“So don’t go,” Jack says. “Fuck it off and have another glass of champagne.”

The words fall into the space between us.

Blunt.

Simple.