Read Online Entangled (Vice Games) by Alice Cooper - Free Book Online Page B

clutched in my left hand and noted that I did not carry a handbag or have a wallet with me.
    ‘Come,’ he said. ‘My treat.’
    I blinked. He turned and expected me to follow but I remained rooted like a tree. My feet were glued to the concrete and I could not move. Tristan looked over his shoulders.
    ‘Don’t you have work?’ I found myself asking. He took out his phone and tapped a message to his secretary. Tristan walked back and took up my hand. The touch was moved my heart to flutter like a young bird and it made me feel incredibly stupid. I tried to remind myself and attempted to envision Lauren’s face but Tristan close proximity to me distracted my thoughts. I stared at him with confusion as he wrapped he wrapped his fingers around mine. My knees threatened to melt as I struggled to hold my composure. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the hunger or his magnetism. It wasn’t fair that a man should be this handsome.
    ‘The restaurant is this way.’
    He led the way and I was forced to walk with him as if we were some sort of couple. When my senses returned to me, I took up my other hand and pried by fingers out of his. He paused and looked me.
    ‘I’m capable of walking without aide,’ I told him.
    The restaurant was upper class and everyone inside were dressed like they owned million dollar homes. I felt out of place in my jeans and printed shirt. Although the place was packed and a reservation was needed, there was something about Tristan Vice’s name that instantly materialized a table for us. We were tucked away in a small private corner that was kept for emergency A-list clients.
    The waiter came with the menu and I pursed my lips as my eyes ran over the prices. A full course meal was equivalent to half a week’s wage at my old job. I felt uncomfortable and did not dare to order anything.
    ‘I’ll have whatever he’s having,’ I said when the waiter turned to me with his pen poised on his notepad.
    ‘Duck Confit,’ said Tristan.
    The waiter left us and my eyes meandered around the restaurant. I avoided looking at Tristan, who sat directly opposite me and seemed to be ex amining every inch of my face. I should have taken a different bus.
    ‘ Miss Walters,’ Tristan began. It was strange to hear him talk to me directly. For the past three months, Tristan had avoided any sort of direct conversation with me and when we did talk, it was about Anna. I was forced to turn and face him. His face was different and for a moment, he allowed it to soften and spoke to me in a tone that was reserved only for those in his household. ‘I apologize for my actions yesterday.’
    ‘No, I should be the one apologizing,’ I found myself saying. ‘I didn’t mean to intrude on your private business like that but Anna…’
    ‘I was fully aware of my sister’s condition and should have taken more care.’
    ‘How is it going to work? I mean, when you’re married to her, you’re not going to send Anna back to the Main House, are you? And she can’t stay with you if she’s around.’
    I avoided using Lauren’s name for some strange reason. Tristan noticed it too but did not say anything.
    ‘I cancelled my engagement with her last night. She will not return to the house again nor will we see each other again.’
    ‘What?’ I blinked at the news. A part of me felt a burst of joy but it quickly mixed itself with confusion. ‘Just like that?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘But you were going to marry her. What changed?’
    Tristan paused and seemed to choose his next words very carefully.
    ‘I thought over your words and you are correct. Anna is indeed in a fragile state and under your supervision, she is improving. My actions threaten to be her undoing and I have decided to correct my wrongs.’
    ‘By calling off your engagement?’
    ‘Yes. It appears necessary that I need to choose someone who does not offend Anna.’
    Tristan’s face turned into stone again . He adverted his eyes when he had finished