~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ The guards watched both Josy and Maria. Jake had filled me in on last night’s dinner date. He discovered several things after a late night. He’d earned his bonus. Jake plied Josy with drinks throughout dinner and after, she’d reveal anything to him. Josy knew Maria from school and taken her in when she had family trouble. Maria had a valid reason for not being a family member anymore. They didn’t claim her either. Maria hid from them as they sought her money. She had assisted Josy in a difficult situation and improved her life. For that Josy would always feel loyal to Maria. Maria changed more than anyone she’d ever known and worked harder, too. She didn’t care what anyone said because they’d never change her mind about her friend. Maria’s family was Uber rich by Josy’s description and greedy for more. Jake thought he’d heard something about an evil stepmother hag, but he’d h
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “There’s no good-looking photo identification. Is there?” Josy winced as she looked at what they’d handed her once we’d toured the head office. I smiled and shook my head. We’re hiding in the executive woman’s washroom for this conversation because of David’s bodyguards. “Portrait photographers would be unnecessary. Remember they never look at it.” I found it funny. The man who identified didn’t check who owned this ID, and he made two badges for me. One as a blonde and one as a redhead. The redhead was Maria Bell, and the blonde was Maria Belgrave. “Okay what’s next?” I hate we must hide like this, but we can’t trust anyone. Even the bodyguards could rat us out to David. I want to trust someone, but that’s wishful thinking. The mirror reveals the toll it has taken on us. You can see it in our faces, and it’s been days. I hate knowing these men and their natures. Jacqueline and Sabrina are the mere products of their societ
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ I unlock the desk. The first drawer contained several things of interest. “Okay, what’s this? Why’s there an envelope with my name here?” The first drawer contained a thick envelope, a framed photograph, along with a folder and other random things. “He expected you to snoop. You did say he’s a sly devil. Maybe this was his plan? Well open it. It might contain some answers like why he did this.” Josy offered her theory as I studied his handwriting. “Why wouldn’t he leave this with Mr. Edwards?” “He might not have had time.” I looked at Josy and thought. He’d been sick and forced out of the company to die alone. Mr. Edwards tried to contact me a month before my father’s death. “I ruined his plans by ignoring Mr. Edwards’s calls.” Regret and sorrow. No guilt too. That’s what I felt. I could’ve spoken with him if I’d answered Mr. Edwards’s calls. I wanted to weep. It’s like someone dangled the tr
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ “I can’t believe they expected us to wear what they sent over. Who do they believe themselves to be, acting in such a manner? It’s so rude.” Josy wore a different gown that Giles sent over in a hurry for her at our request. She and I refused to wear the dresses Jake left with her. We’d warned him as he left, we wouldn’t wear them. He laughed as he left. David and Jake didn’t know we’d visited Giles. “Oh, no. I don’t want any problems showing up in the same outfit as Sabrina. That humiliation will not be on my hit list. David can’t believe I would fall for something like that. He can’t think I’ll do whatever he says now that he’s engaged to her. It’s over and done.” I said. David’s audacity to dictate my actions and attire infuriated me. Who was he to dictate terms to a canceled contract? I didn’t want to discuss that with him. I hadn’t any interest in celebrating the collaboration. Nothing I’d seen so far looked all that promising to me
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Evening Chris I see you’ve monopolized Ms. Bell as soon as she arrived. She didn’t even have the chance to say hello to us.” “We were just heading over before I introduced her around. You can’t blame me for wanting to escort a beautiful woman about for this evening.” That smile was still on his face. I put my palm on his chest and smiled up at him. “Isn’t he nice? He’s happy to introduce me to his friends.” Okay, I might have gone too far with that comment in front of David. But he’s kept me away from his close friends and associates. I was his dirty secret, after all. A glance at Sabrina showed her glaring at my hand like she wanted to burn a hole through it. I could feel Chris realizing now the mistake he’d made as he shifted under my hand. If he thought, he’s confused about my knowledge of his affair with Sabrina before. Well, I’d laid it to rest now. “Chris, I am afraid your plan will ha
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ I don’t think I could go any paler than I was already. If David wasn’t holding onto me, I might not be standing on my feet right now. The thought of what would happen. I can see in his eyes that David knows what would happen. He wants to hear it from me. David wants to hear me say I can’t look after myself. That I can’t manage the company. “Come on. Sugar, you know what will happen. Stop wasting my time. Must I set a time constraint? What’s the matter? Is reality too much for you? Last night, you assured me that my security people were unnecessary. Does this change your mind? I dislike how you’ve endangered my possessions. Since you own Belgrave Tech, and I own you. By default, I own both. Maria, can you see my point? I can’t trust you. Which means I need some assurance from you.” I couldn’t stop the gasp as I started into his burning gray eyes. What did he want now? Why couldn’t he rip the bandage off and tell me straight up what he wa
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Listen well Maria Belgrave you have a several things to learn tonight. First, you’re mistaken if you thought I would toss aside an investment. Second, it’s like you have some kind of racehorse breeding and special sought after traits. Yet, you hid that from me. Now I’m correcting that error. Third, for now you’ll be Maria Bell for your safety and my convenience. When the time comes, we’ll disclose who you are. If anyone finds out we’ve slept together you’re the slut Maria Bell with a sweet as pie pussy I love dipping into. Understand? You’ll sign an amendment tonight stating you’ll follow my directions to deal with the Vines family and Belgrave Tech issue. After that, you’ll grace my bed when I say, your security detail follows you everywhere including into your home. I, Jake, and the security detail will have full access to your home. Keys and codes. Staff information, schedules, deliveries, all of it. No, arguing. If I don’t authorize your clothin
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ My heart raced, and my legs threatened to shake. I could feel my stomach muscles tighten at the intimate feel of his warm touch against the cool, wet silk. My breathing had become ragged. “What the fuck did you do David? Why am I like this? Ah.” I couldn’t stop myself as I moaned. He made swift work of cutting my panties apart, leaving me exposed. He then removed them altogether and looked down at his unhindered view of my most intimate region. A region he considered he owned. “I’m glad to see you maintained here too.” The scissors disappeared and his hands caressed my inner thighs with no hurry. “What did I do to you? It wasn’t me. The man to thank for the roofie we drank was none other than Chris. I saw him do it and like I said. There’s one man who gets to use this and it’s me. Look at how much you need me. It’s been but a few nights without me diving into here.” David thrust three of his thick fingers into the depths o