But this wasn’t a normal situation, and Sophia wasn’t just any woman.
Dane had a feeling that she would be able to accomplish what other women before her had not—getting Salazar to put a ring on her finger. After all, she’d already managed to get Shirley’s choker.
“We need to talk.” Dane took Sophia’s elbow and looked around. The area was too crowded. “This way.”
He led her toward a pair of French doors. The garden would provide better privacy. He had no desire to become somebody’s gossip for the week.
As he pulled her past the doors, she stumbled and cried out. He stopped instantly, biting back a curse. “Don’t tell me you can’t walk in those heels.”
“It’s not that. They hurt.”
“Then why are you wearing—? Never mind. Why do women choose their clothes and shoes so poorly?”
“I couldn’t put on flats.”
“Of course.” Salazar liked his women in heels.
Dane let go and waited as she arranged herself. The outside lamps illuminated the wince on her face, and something like sympathy stirred inside him.
Damn it. This wasn’t what he needed. He knew better than anybody how well people could pretend. Innocents didn’t just gravitate toward people like his father or swindle valuable chokers from them.
And not just any choker, but one of Shirley’s. Dane clenched his jaw. Technically it was Salazar’s now, and he could do whatever he wanted. But given its history, it should’ve stayed in the family. There were other baubles, meaningless ones, that could serve as…incentives.
“So where do you want to talk?” Sophia asked.
He motioned with his chin toward a bench in the shadows. “Over there. We should have some privacy.”
She nodded and followed. They didn’t touch, but he felt her anyway across the small distance between their bodies.
“Sit.”
He waited until she settled on one side of the bench. He didn’t take the spot next to her. He was so restless, he could barely stand still. But he knew better than to let her see his agitation.
“What are you doing with Salazar?” he asked.
Her mouth parted. “You know him?”
Dane laughed. “You could say that. Now what the hell kind of game are you playing, Sophia?”
“Game? I’m not playing any game.”
“Right.” She opened her mouth but he waved a hand dismissively. No longwinded explanations. “Fine, let’s play it your way. Salazar is my father. Now answer my question.”
Chapter Thirteen
Sophia gasped and blinked a few times. “I had no idea.”
Dane smiled. And I’m the king of England. “Did he promise to marry you as soon as the divorce is final?”
“What?”
“Surely you’ve heard about his marital situation. Come on. You didn’t get this far”—Dane gestured at the choker—“without doing some research.”
“Dane, what are you talking about? There was no ‘research’.”
Uh-huh. Women ran into Salazar and ended up with family heirlooms all the time.
“I had to come to L.A.,” she continued. “I have nobody back home.”
“You could’ve called me.”
“You mean your lawyers,” she said, her voice sharp.
“So you called after all.”
“Don’t worry.” Her mouth tightened. “I was never pregnant.”
“That wasn’t what I was thinking.” If she’d called the lawyers, she must’ve discovered who he was. And since they weren’t idiots, whatever they’d offered probably hadn’t been satisfactory for her, assuming that they’d bothered. They’d most likely laughed at her for wanting anything when she wasn’t even pregnant with his kid. He should’ve left her his private number after all. “What’s your endgame here, Sophia?”
“Oh for…! I keep telling you, there is no game.”
Typical denial. Wasn’t even worth acknowledging. “Do you think you’re too smart to be played by Salazar?” He tilted his head. “Did your father not leave you enough money?”
She choked back a bitter laugh. “Enough money… How would you define that?”
He narrowed his eyes. “A couple of million at least.” Which wouldn’t have been a lot for Rick. He’d inherited over a hundred million dollars.
“And you’re acting like I’m the crazy one.” She laughed, this time not bothering to keep it quiet. The sound was full of derision. “Two million dollars? Really?”
“Chump change for you?”
“I would’ve been happy if his estate was worth two hundred dollars.” She gave him a long, level look. “Listen to me carefully, Dane. There’s nothing. Zero. No money.”