“Oh, yes, we know each other very well.”
“Really? Then why all the mystery? Surely, Mr Shaw would have been honoured to have such a beautiful lady at this little soirée?”
“He wouldn’t appreciate my attendance here, far from it.”
“Then, that begs the question as to why you are here?”
“I have an old score to settle with Mr Shaw, but that’s strictly between the two of us. If he knew you have violated his trust, you’d pay most dearly.”
“Do not concern yourself, Madame. Discretion is the name of the game. After all, you paid enough for it.”
“What time are the guests of honour expected?”
“I’ve been informed Mr Shaw and Miss Childs are en-route as we speak. Their driver texted me a few minutes ago to advise.”
“Jensen is with them?”
He raised an eyebrow. “So, you are familiar with the help too?”
“We both know he is much more than that.”
“Who are you, really?”
She held up her invitation and pointed to the name. “Caressa Delacourt.”
“She does not exist.”
“I’m standing in front of you with an invitation that says who I am.”
“Did you not think I would investigate further when you made your somewhat unusual request for an invitation?”
“It is a Masquerade Ball, is it not?”
“Oui!”
“Then my identity shouldn’t concern you, Monsieur Koln.”
“It does when you are in my castle, and I’m not privy to what you have planned for one of our most generous benefactors.”
“I have nothing planned for Mr Shaw or his companion, of that you have my word. I am here merely to observe, that’s all.”
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I should mingle with the other guests. It has been a pleasure Madame…” He tapped her invitation and winked. “… Delacourt.”
She turned away, eagerly awaiting Zander’s arrival.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I looked just like a fairytale Princess. Tears welled in my eyes. I had never looked or felt as beautiful as I did right then. “Don’t cry.” I fanned myself with my hand, trying to regain my composure.
“No, please don’t,” Jensen added. “We don’t have time to have your make-up done again.”
Taking a deep breath, I fanned my face again, thankfully feeling a little calmer. “I’m ready to go.”
“Mr Shaw will meet you there.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to seeing Zander. I feel so bad doubting him and owe him a huge apology.”
“Then, let’s not keep either of you waiting.”
Le Château Musée Grimaldi was a sight to behold.
“Oh, my God.”
“Beautiful,” Jensen said, on our approach.
“Does Zander own this place?”
“Not at all. It is now owned by the city of Cagne.”
“I bet it’s steeped in history.”
“It was built in 1309 by Rainier Grimaldi, so your assumption would be correct.”
“The same Grimaldi’s who live in Monaco now? Princess Grace–that Grimaldi?” I was obsessed with the Royal Family.
“The very same.”
I was in awe. “Wow, I didn’t realise they went back so far.”
“History is fascinating, and you seem to know a lot about the royal families of the world.”
“I love anything to do with royalty.”
The car pulled to a stop. “Are you ready for the night of your life?”
“Is Zander inside?”
“No,” Jensen added. “He’s there.”
My heart fluttered.
Zander waited for me, a single red rose in hand. He wore a black Zorro style mask and tuxedo with cummerbund. Sexy!
Jensen opened the door and once again, offered me his hand.
I walked over to Zander. He handed me the rose and I allowed him to kiss me on the cheek. He really was gorgeous.
“You are simply stunning.”
“I owe you an apology.”
“You owe me nothing.”
“I feel such a monster for sending you those messages.”
“Don’t! I love that you stand up for yourself. It makes a refreshing change to people perpetually kowtowing to me.”
“Well, for the record, I apologise for my appalling behaviour and for telling you to get fucked.”
He took my hand, a smirk across his face. “Accepted.”
“Thank you.”
He led me through the doors, and as he did, Strauss’ The Blue Danube Waltz began to play.
Shivers ran down my spine and for a moment I couldn’t speak.
“This is all for you.”
“But why?”
“Because you deserve it.”
We climbed a set of stairs that led to a pair of double doors.
Zander knocked twice, and the doors opened.
My breath caught.
“It’s-it’s just…”
“This way,” the uniformed man who opened the doors said.
We walked to the top of the stairs.
“Mr Zander Shaw and Miss Camilla Childs.”
I was surprised our arrival was announced.
The ballroom was huge and lit by enormous chandeliers
I felt as though I’d been whisked back to 19th Century France. “Everything is so beautiful.”
Hundreds of costumed and masked couples twirled around the floor, dancing in time to the forty-piece orchestra that played.
“This is all for you,”
I was speechless and stared open mouthed.
The ladies looked so beautiful in their costumes. Their masks were exquisite, some full face, and others only partially covering their faces.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, just enjoy it.”
Just then, a man walked toward us.
“Good evening, Zander.”
“Ah, I wondered if you’d be here, Gerhardt.”
“As if I’d miss one of your parties.”
“Cammie Childs, please allow me to introduce Gerhardt Koln. He looks after this gorgeous castle.”
“It is a pleasure, Miss Childs.”
I nodded. “Call me, Cammie, please.”
He kissed my gloved hand.
“As you wish.”
“Can I get you both a drink?” Gerhardt asked.
“No need. I can do that while you fill Cammie in on the history of the place.”
“Of course,” he said.
“Would you please excuse me?”
For five minutes, Gerhardt regaled me with tales of the castle. I was fascinated but wondered where Zander had disappeared to. A quick glance told me he was being held hostage by a group of men near the bar.
“It seems Mr Shaw is as popular as ever.”
I turned around.
“Madame Childs, please allow me to introduce Madame Caressa Delacourt.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Call me Cammie, please.”
Gerhardt excused himself.
Caressa Delacourt kissed me on both cheeks.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Cammie.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Even wearing the mask, I could see this lady was simply stunning. She appeared a little older than me but had it. Well, whatever it was, she had it in spades. Her eyes drew me in. They seemed so familiar.
I was surprised to find myself attracted to her, as before now, the thought of anything sexual with a woman did nothing to excite me. There was a yearning in me to discover who was behind the mask.
“Do you know Mr Shaw?”
“It has been a long time since Alexander and I last spoke to one another.”
“Alexander?” I queried.
“My apologies–I should refer to him by his chosen name.”
“I never knew his real name was Alexander.” I turned to look at him, wishing he would
make his excuses and hurry up, but when I turned back, Caressa was gone.
I spied her walking through the crowds, towards the enormous golden doors leading to the gardens.
I caught Zander’s eye, feeling out of my depth here. He seemed to pick up on my nervousness, quickly shaking hands with the men he had been talking to and headed my way.
“Who was that you were talking to?” Zander asked.
He was keeping an eye on me, after all.
“I don’t really know, but she was very attractive.”
“She hurried away rather quickly.”
“Yes, I guess she did.” I turned to see where she was. “She referred to you as Alexander.”
I felt the shift in his mood. He didn’t like being referred to as Alexander. I could see it in his eyes.
“That is the name my parents gave to me, and one I don’t like to use.”
“Alexander, Zander, hardly a big leap between the two,” I said.
“Please respect my wishes.” He stormed off through the throngs of people, leaving me standing alone. I caught a glimpse of him as he rushed through the doors to the gardens.
Now what am I supposed to do? I wish Jensen was here.
And as if by magic, Jensen walked down the stairs toward me.
“Is there anything I can do, Miss Childs?” he asked. “You look a little… lost.”
“Yes,” I said. fighting back the urge to cry. “Would you take me back to the villa?”
“But you’re the guest of honour.”
“Screw that,” I said. “Alexander the Great can stick his party where the sun doesn’t shine.”
“He won’t appreciate you calling him that.”
“Tough shit,” I said, pulling my mask off. “If you won’t take me back, I’ll make my own way.” I walked away. He rushed after me.
“Wait, please,” he said. “I will drive you, but I need to inform Mr Shaw, so he knows where you are.”
“Do what you like, little puppy.” I stormed away, up the grand staircase.
Five minutes later, I was walking along the winding path that led back to the main road, seething. No man was going to treat me like that, not Zander Shaw, or his lacky.
I could hear a car approach, then the screech of the brakes.
“Cammie,” Jensen said. “Get in the car.”
“Fuck off,” I replied. “I’ll make my own way.”
“This is crazy,” he replied. “Do you want to get me into trouble?”
“I don’t care what your arsehole of a boss has to say. If he doesn’t like it, tough shit.”
“But…”
“Zander Shaw does not own me,” I yelled. “Get that through your thick skull.”
He looked at me and laughed right in my face.
I balled my fist, ready to whack him.
“I like you, Cammie,” he said.
Hang on a minute. He called me Cammie. “What happened to Miss Childs?” I asked.
“You’ve told me enough times to call you Cammie, so I’m only following your instructions.”
“Yeah, well…”
He interrupted me. “I can go back to Miss Childs, if you’d prefer?”
“Shut it, smart arse,” I said. “Cammie is fine.”
“Are you going to let me take you back to the ball?”
“Am I hell.”
“I’ll take that as a no then.”
“I want to go back to the villa.”
“What about Mr Shaw?”
“If Zander wants to behave like a child, then I’ll treat him like one. He won’t get away with treating me like that.”
“That’s what Charlotte said.”
He knew he’d spoken out of turn.
“Who is Charlotte?”
“I shouldn’t have mentioned her name. Can we forget it please?”
“No, I want to know who she is. You know I can be trusted.”
“Okay, but not a word to Mr Shaw. Promise.”
“Absolutely. Now spill.”
“Charlotte was Mr Shaw’s ex-girlfriend.
“I didn’t think Zander did girlfriends, period.”
“He doesn’t, but for her, he made an exception.”
“Where is she now?”
“They had some sort of row and he never heard from her again. She just vanished.”
“He’s never mentioned her to me.”
“She walked out on him–he doesn’t take kindly to that.”
“Hence why you’re so eager to take me back to the castle.”
“He tried to find her.”
“And?”
“Nothing. It was like she never even existed.”
“How odd.”
“Very,” he said. “Now, are you going to allow me to escort you back to the castle?”
“I don’t know.”
“You can still give him a mouthful later on.”
“Yes, I could, couldn’t I?”
“I’m sure he’s met his match with you.”
“Oh yes, and the sooner he sees it, the better it’ll be for him.”
“Come on,” Jensen said, placing his hand on the small of my back. “Let’s get you back before he notices you’ve gone.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Zander waited on the steps for my return.
He wasn’t wearing his mask, and I could tell by his eyes, he was sorry.
He opened the door and helped me out.
“Cammie, please forgive me. I don’t know what came over me.”
I still wanted to punch him, but at least he’d apologised. “I don’t care what your name is, for the record.”
“I prefer Zander.”
We walked hand in hand back into the castle but this time, we took a different turn, up another staircase.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I thought you’d want a tour of the place.”
“Well, yes, but there’s something more I want first, if you don’t mind.” I wanted to feel him inside me.
“And what would that be?” he asked.
“Your big cock.”
“Then I have just the place.” He leaned in to kiss me. “Come with me.”
Caressa Delacourt and Arnaud watched from the upper level as Zander led Cammie into a private room.
“We should go,” Arnaud said. “This is too dangerous.”
“The girl is in danger,” she warned. “The longer I allow this to go on, the worse it will be for her.”
“You don’t know that for sure.”
“Yes. I do.”
“You do know Alexander followed you into the grounds earlier?”
“I know.”
“And if he’d caught up with you.”
“He didn’t.”
“But what if he had?”
“Then I’d have dealt with it, simple.”
“Why are you flirting with danger, Caressa?”
“I have to stop him.”
“And you will, in time, but do it the right way. Gather your evidence, and make sure you don’t put yourself in any further danger. He’s already tried to kill you once, remember?”
“How could I ever forget?”
“Then, let us get out of this place.”
“Okay, but there is one thing I must do before we leave.”
Caressa rushed away.
Arnaud shouted after her. “What are you doing?”
We were in our own private room.
Zander helped me undress.
He kissed my neck and shoulders as the dress dropped to the floor.
“Make love to me,” I begged.
“I intend to.”
I lay on the bed, my legs wide apart and could see Zander’s hard cock straining to escape his trousers.
He removed his cummerbund and dropped it to the floor.
“Give me that,” I said. “I have an idea.”
He bent to pick it up, handing it to me.
“What do you want it for?”
“Blindfold me.”
He grinned at me. “Are you sure?”
“Oh, yes.”
He tied it around my head. I couldn’t see a thing.
“Are you okay?”
“Shush. Don’t speak. Do what you want to me.”
Just then, I heard the faint sound of a siren.
“It’s the fire alarm.”
I whipped the blindfold off as Zander jumped to his feet. “Wait there,” he said, dashing out of the room. I lay there, certain it was a false alarm. I couldn’t smell any smoke.
“Okay, but hurry back.” I pulled the blindfold back over my face and lay on the bed.
My fingers found their way to my private place. I would amuse myself while he was gone.
I heard him re-enter the room.
“Is everything okay?”
“Shush,” he said.
Seconds later, his tongue was buried deep inside me.
He reached up, pulling on my nipples.
I writhed in ecstasy. A mix of pain and pleasure.
He pulled hard on my nipples and buried his tongue deeper into me.
I moaned, the sensations overwhelming me.
A loud noise from the lower level distracted me and suddenly, Zander was gone.
I sat up, whipped my blindfold off and caught sight of a man rushing out of the room.
It wasn’t Zander after all.
I didn’t know how to feel; violated, aroused, angry, I sat in disbelief and pulled the blanket around my cold shoulders.
A scent caught my attention. I sniffed up, recognising it instantly.
“Jensen,” I said.
Shit. It was Jensen.
Chapter Thirty
Caressa rushed across the lawn, toward the thick conifer trees.
“Arnaud,” she whispered. “Are you here?”
“Yes, over here.” He stepped into view, the expression on his face like thunder.
“Thank God.”
“Caressa, what the hell are you playing at?”
“I wanted to make sure the girl was safe.”
“And what if he’d seen you?”
“He didn’t.”
“Zander isn’t stupid. You’re baiting him.”
“I’m doing no such thing,” Caressa snapped.
“Then why come to the party in the first place?”
“Because I wanted to look into his eyes and see if he was sorry for what he did.”
By Invitation Only- The Series Page 9
