Obviously done with being a house guest, too, even if in a gilded house. “There’s a school here. You could study here.”
“Felix,” she said as if he was being impossible. No, he wanted her to stay. Father would pay for her studies. She was practically part of the family.
“Tell you what,” Dominic said. Yes, Felix thought. Father would offer to pay her fees. “There’s a junior management position at our silver mine in Mexico. It isn’t exciting work, dirty work in a rough environment, but it’s a foot in the door. You stick with it a couple of years, the company will offer to pay tuition at any university you want.”
“What? No,” Felix said. He was sending her away. Shania’s eyes widened. There would be no them if she didn’t stay, but she was also being offered a career. They had the making of something between them—granted it was early days, but this meant something. He watched her intently, as did Esme. Shania looked between them.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity. I’d be insane to say no. Thank you. I can’t believe you would do this for me.”
“It’s settled then. And there’s no need to thank me. It’s a job. Make the best of it.”
Felix felt his chest constrict. She’d chosen and it wasn’t him. It fucking hurt, but then what were they other than a series of good fucks? Felix had lost his appetite and could only stare at the beautifully presented duck on his plate.
He’d lost her to his father. Not in the way he’d imagined, but she’d just taken an opportunity for something more. Was she really that different from a gold digger? She was out for what she could get, and was fine trampling on him to get it.
With a glass of whiskey, Felix had retreated inside, unable to sit at the table anymore. “Guess you’re off then,” he said bitterly when she walked into the house again after dinner. “First chance you got, you’re cashing in.”
“Cashing in? As opposed to what, Felix? What do you think we have going here?”
“Something.”
Shania stared at him. “It’s just sex.”
He rose quickly as if burnt by the accusation. “It’s more than that. But like any girl on the take, you run when you see the dollar signs flashing.”
“Look, Felix,” she said. “This opportunity’s come. How many of these opportunities do you think someone like me will get to make something of my life? I don’t want to dance in bars the rest of my life. This is a shot at a career, a fucking career. I’ve never been offered that by anyone.”
“And it doesn’t bother you that he’s doing this because you rode him so sweetly?” Felix said harshly.
Shania crossed her arms, giving him that pouty look she did when she was angry. “Screw you, Felix,” she said and walked away.
“I was right about you all along—a gold digger’s always a gold digger.”
“Correction, Felix. I’m in fact a silver digger, and I’m gonna hang on until my fingers bleed. If that makes me something despicable in your book, I’ll just have to live with that. I have before. I’m sorry you can’t be happy for me. That’s just a cross I’ll have to bear. See ya.”
She walked up the stairs, her tanned legs moving out of view. So easily something had slipped out of his fingers. He hadn’t exactly known what it was, but it was something, and now he felt alone.
“Sorry, Felix,” Esme said and leaned over the back of the sofa, giving him a hug. “I suppose she was never going to stay.”
Chapter 64
Stepping out of the greyish silver Maybach, the new season Prada clutch under her arm, Cheyenne straightened her skin-tight bandage dress, her long legs stretching down and the Azure diamond on her finger glinting.
It was time to make an entrance.
She walked over to Inca and walked in. Alexi would be there that night, she’d been told by her personal assistant, sorry, social secretary, who was paid to ensure she had the inside gossip about the town.
Scanning the restaurant, she spotted him. This was just a thing she needed to do, exorcise some demons. “Hello, Alexi,” she said as she walked up to him, sitting in a white linen suit. He always liked looking coolly relaxed, as if nothing in the world ruffled him, but they both knew he was more insecure than he let on—always striving for something.
He’d been hypocritical enough to look down on her for it, trying to make her position better, stronger—going full out for her ambition. Well, she’d succeeded now. She looked great, her long, perfect limbs tanned golden.
He looked up, surprise registering in his eyes. “Cheyenne.”
The massive diamond on her finger glinted in the carefully crafted lights of the restaurant. “I go by Baronessa Vennhagen these days,” she said as haughtily as she could manage. “You can call me Baronessa.” She turned her attention to Alexi’s companion and blinked, being presented by breathing wall paper. This... she wasn’t even a girl; she was old and short, brown hair and was she wearing a sack?
What the hell was going on? The last photos she’d seen, he’d been with that Swedish cow, all fake wholesomeness and innocence. Cheyenne had met Malin on the modelling circuit and knew full well what the girl was about. It hadn’t surprised her one bit that she’d gotten her claws into Alexi. But here he was with, was this the hired help? His secretary perhaps. She would have thought he’d have better aesthetic taste when picking someone he’d have to see every day.
“Congratulations,” Alexi said. “I am very happy for you.”
“I’m sure you are.”
“This is Rosalie,” he said and Cheyenne was forced to shake hands with the girl. Was ugly contagious? By the look in Alexi’s eyes, this girl wasn’t his secretary, or else he’d fallen in love with his secretary. It would be too easy to pick her out of the way if she wanted, but then Alexi seemed to have lost his marbles. “So you are back in town.”
“Yes, I am,” she said with a smile. “You will have to come for cocktails. Bring a… date,” she said, turning to the frumpy thing again. Really? That thing? At times the world made no sense.
Alexi’s hand was caressing that woman’s, a look of pure gooeyness on his face. Ugh, this was revolting. Whatever, Cheyenne thought, she had bigger fish to fry. In fact, all of the fish. “Must go,” she said. “So much to do. You wouldn’t think a title made such a big difference, but it really does.” Not to mention oodles of money, which she had now. “Good to see you, Alexi. You look well.” Insane, more like, but some of these mogul types did crack. She knew a good rehab if he needed one.
Turning sharply, she walked out, swaying the way only a trained professional could on heels like these. It was warm outside and the gleaming car stood waiting for her, including the smartly dressed driver. It was good to be back, and she was ready to rule this town. She’d been dead set to make Alexi pay, but he looked like he was doing penance all on his own. Now it was time for all those bitches who’d refused to give her the time of day to pay.
The End
The Marbella series continues; check out the next book, Marbella Beauty. To sign up for a newsletter to receive information on coming books in this series, please do so at http://www.camilleoster.com/ and receive a free copy of ‘A Material Gift’.
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Other Books by Camille Oster
Marbella Beauty – Marbella series book 3 - For Cheyenne’s return to Marbella, getting retribution for past embarrassments, are simply joyous little bonuses. No, she aims to take her place in one of the world’s most illustrious societies, and she will do just about anything to have her way. Of particular interest is Dominic Dunbury, who is now back on the market after his divorce. They would be the ultimate power couple if she pulls it off, and few resisted Cheyenne’s charm once she sets her eye on someone.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marbella-Beauty-Camille-Oster-ebook/dp/B01DPPQE2Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1459547742&sr=8-5&keywords=camille+oster
The Rules of the Game – D’Arth series book 1 - Jane Burrows knows that the corporate environment is diffi
cult to navigate at the best of times. It is especially difficult when the important account lead hates the very sight of her. Damon D'Arth is a corporate warrior who knows his way around the politics in the world for major infrastructure. Jane needs to stand up for herself and her mentor's interests.
This job is the key to Jane's future and she's been given a great opportunity, but now she needs to prove that her promotion was justified. She just isn't sure she can survive in this high pressure environment with hidden dangers and equal exhilaration. Her mentor's support is the only thing that is keeping D'Arth from ripping her to pieces.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rules-Game-DArth-Book-ebook/dp/B00AQKE0T6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1459466930&sr=8-3&keywords=camille+oster
Thief Taker- Former Bow Street Runner, Rowan Cox doesn't usually handle minor cases like housebreaking, but the Commissioner of the newly established Metropolitan police wants the thief haunting the finest houses in London caught. This thief is skilled and cunning, and far from what Rowan expected when the case was forced on him, and she defies him at every turn. Only one will win this high-stakes game and Rowan will be damned if it isn't him.
The one thing Serephina Woodford cannot do is let Rowan Cox near her, having been warned of his ruthless tactics. She is so close to achieving her goal and just needs to survive a few more months in order to provide her sister with the future she deserves. She just has to be better than the man trying to find her.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thief-Taker-Camille-Oster-ebook/dp/B00NENSAFW/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1459467536&sr=8-21&keywords=camille+oster
Amongst Silk and Spice - Sir Hugo Beauford had no idea what to expect when the king summoned him from Calais, away from the battles securing the French throne for their English king. A quest to find Earl Chanderling’s wayward daughter was not something he wanted, but being a knight in the king’s service, he was duty-bound to fulfill his king’s wishes - even if the bothersome girl he remembered had last been heard of in Venice. He’d never had plans to travel as far east as Venice, let alone much farther as this quest took more effort than he could have imagined - including dragging an unwilling and continuously challenging young woman across the known world.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amongst-Silk-Spice-Camille-Oster-ebook/dp/B00RG5NWS4/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1459467495&sr=8-8&keywords=camille+oster
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