Wild Submission(24)

“I know! Apparently some tech billionaire bet everything on red, and it came up black. I’ve told the waiters to keep him supplied with champagne,” Olivia adds with a wink.

I laugh. “Clever.” Olivia gives me a look, and I realize Cam is standing beside me, silent. “Oh, this is Cam. Cam McCullough. Meet my friend, Olivia.”

Cam shakes her hand. “Any friend of Isabelle’s is a friend of mine. Now, can I get you ladies something to drink?”

“Thanks.” Olivia waits until he’s gone before giggling. “Iz! Where have you been hiding him?”

“Why? What do you mean?” I flush, suddenly self-conscious. My two worlds are colliding here tonight.

“Just that he’s hot!” Olivia squeals. “Wait, is he that Scottish designer you were talking about?”

“No, different guy,” I say quickly. “Cam works at the company. Runs it, really. He was friends with my father.”

“Aww, that’s sweet.” Olivia links her arm through mine. “Come see the girls. They’re all basking in praise for pulling this off, but we all know it’s down to you. You did a great job.”

I say my hellos and catch up with everyone, reminding them all to gamble and fill those fundraising coffers. “It’s for a good cause,” I joke to a group. “And when was the last time you could say that about losing your shirt at roulette?”

They all laugh. Cam joins me with a glass of champagne, steering me away from the crowd. “You should be proud of yourself for tonight,” he tells me. “This is a big deal.”

I flush at his praise. “I just know I got lucky, being adopted. So many kids don’t have that chance. This is the least I can do to help them.”

Cam squeezes my hand. “You’re a good person, Isabelle.”

Guilt strikes through me. He has no idea.

“I just want to run and thank the caterers,” I say quickly, needing some air. “I’ll be right back.”

I hurry through the crowded ballroom, and down a hallway. It’s quieter here, and I catch my breath, trying to push back the memories. Tonight is a good thing, but suddenly, I feel like such an imposter. Cam doesn’t realize, what I’m trying so hard to keep hidden. He doesn’t see my dark past, or know what I’ve done to get to where I am today.

“Well, well, well. Look at you.”

The voice sends chills down my spine. No. Not here.

Brent strolls closer, looking smug as usual.

I tense. “Don’t tell me you burned through that money already.”

He snorts. “Not quite.”

But I see the anger in his eyes. Damn it. I glance around, but luckily, we’re out of sight, hidden here in the hallway.

I straighten up and face him. “Get out of my way.”

“Not so fast, sister. We’re not done.”

“I’m busy.” I try to seem bored.

“With him,” Brent says scornfully. “That low-rent bastard. He’s got no fucking class.”

“And you do?” I shoot back.

It’s a mistake. His face darkens. “You liked me just fine, sis. All those years I came to visit your bedroom at night.” He moves closer, backing me against the wall. “You didn’t complain then, did you? You loved it, you little slut.”

“Stop!” I shove him hard, wriggling out from the alcove. “I won’t keep doing this. It’s over, I’ve told you before.”

“And I’ve told you, it’ll never be over. You’re mine,” he sneers. “You think your white knight will have you once he knows you’re damaged goods? Face it. Once trash, always trash. You should feel lucky I’d even look twice at you.”

I swallow, shaking with rage and panic. There’s a time I would have believed him, but being with Cam has taught me differently. Brent made me weak, but Cam gives me the strength to believe in myself. Believe I’m worth so much more than what I’ve been settling for.

“You don’t own me, Brent. In fact, you’re nothing without me.” With a final burst of angry strength, I wrench my arm from his grasp and try to walk away.

“Do you really want to risk it, killer?”

I freeze. Fear surrounds me, sharp and cold.

Brent strolls closer, placing a possessive hand on my waist. “That’s right, Iz. I know your secret, and believe me, I won’t think twice about telling everyone in that ballroom what you’ve done. You think Cam will want you then?”

Oh God. I can imagine the look on his face. The revulsion. The blame.

“Come along now.” Brent begins to steer me back to the party. “We’re leaving now. You and me. I’ve had enough of this bullshit. You’re coming home with me, where you belong.”