Free Entangled (Vice Games) by Alice Cooper

speaking.
    ‘What about her? She accepted your decision?’
    Lauren did not seem like someone who would let something go so easily. Besides, from Anna’s report of her to me, Lauren had Tristan in the palm of her hands. Tristan did not reply. The waiter came out with our lunch and we ate in silence. The awkwardness grew as neither of us spoke. Unable to stand it any longer, I decided to ask him a question.
    ‘What do you do for a living?’
    Tristan picked his head up from his meal and looked at me.
    ‘I’m the vice president of Baxter Enterprise,’ he answered and quickly caught the enquiring look on my face. I’ve never heard of Baxter Enterprise and hadn’t a clue in what they dealt with. ‘Baxter is my mother’s maiden name and she is the sole heir to my grandfather’s empire. I own and three of the major utility companies in this country. Baxter Enterprise maintains and upgrades the electricity grids and telecommunications network. The company also owns offshore assets which I am sent to maintain from time to time.’
    ‘Oh,’ I found myself saying and there was nothing left to ask.
    When we had finished our meals, Tristan paid and we left together.
    ‘You should go back to the office,’ I told him as we stood in front of the restaurant. He could see that I wanted time to myself.
    ‘When are you going home?’ he asked.
    ‘I promised Anna that I’ll be back by dinner time.’
    ‘I’ll pick you up,’ he said and took out his wallet. He handed me one of his cards. ‘The pin is Anna’s birth year.’
    I shook my head. ‘I can’t take that.’
    ‘You don’t have any money on you. Buy something. Take it as your bonus.’
    Tristan took up my hand and placed the card in my palm. My brain did not register the action until he started to walk away.

Chapter 11 – A family dinner
     
     
     
     
    The smell of Lauren was still in Tristan’s car and I could not help but be reminded of her naked ass on the leather. And that’s not including the juices she was leaking. The thought repulsed me and Tristan noticed my discomfort. It was not what he intended when he drove us back and we sat in silence in the traffic. I returned his card and had not spent any of his money. It felt wrong and I could not bring myself to do it.
    It was awkward, strange and heart racing at the same time. I had to convince myself that he was just being kind. Perhaps he took pity in the embarrassment I felt for walking in on him yesterday. But there was also the matter of him breaking up with Lauren. Something told me that it would not be that simple.
    Anna was surprised to see me return with her brother and gave me curios looks throughout the rest of the night. She presented us with what remained of my cupcakes and Lorraine served up the dinner. Halfway through the meal, the phone rang and Jace entered with a grave look upon his face.
    ‘It’s from the Main House,’ he said.
    Tristan wiped his lips and stood up. He left with the phone pressed against his ears. Anna strained to listen and got out of her seat to creep down the hallway towards where her brother stood. As hard as Anna tried, she could not make out a coherent conversation as Tristan kept moving. He returned shortly after and was not at all surprised to see his sister waiting with anticipation for the report.
    ‘They were just made aware,’ he said as he sat back down.
    ‘Of what?’ Anna asked with fear in her eyes. ‘It’s not the pills, is it?’
    ‘No,’ he replied and Anna was quickly relieved by his reply.
    ‘Then what?’ she pressed.
    ‘Of my cancelled engagement.’
    Anna’s surprise was quickly mirrored by Lorraine and Jace who were close enough to hear the announcement. Tristan picked up his utensils and continued to eat his dinner as if nothing had happened.
    ‘You mean you’re not getting married to her?’ Anna asked. She needed to confirm as an elated smile spread across her face.
    ‘That is correct.’
    Anna’s mouth dropped but the