There Is No Devil Sinners Duet Book 2 By Sophie Lark-pdfread

She looks up at me quizzically. “Where did Mara go?”
“The bathroom.”
This is the part of the plan that neither Mara nor I particularly like. She
wanted to explain everything to Sonia, but I told her that would be a mistake.
Most people are terrible actors. If Sonia knows she’s playing a part, Alastor
will see it. I need her discomfort to sell the story.
Alastor must see everything exactly as I’ve arranged, and exactly as follows:
Mara returns from the bathroom.
Sonia tries to cede her position on the dance floor, but I won’t let her. I’m
rude to Mara, deliberately dismissive. Mara answers back sharply, carrying a
fresh glass of champagne that sloshes onto the ground as she gestures angrily.
Sonia pulls away from me, trying to apologize to Mara, but we’re already
ignoring Sonia, locked in an argument that escalates and escalates because I
intend it to. I’m cruel and cutting until real tears sparkle in Mara’s eyes, until
she’s red-faced and shouting back at me.
We’re drawing the attention of our fellow party-goers, but I don’t make the
mistake of looking to see if Shaw is watching too. I pretend to be entirely
engrossed in the argument, trying to quiet Mara, grabbing her by the wrist.
Mara pulls her hand away, and when I won’t let go, she slaps me across the
face. The slap is sharp, cutting through the music.
I release her wrist, saying, “Fuck off then, you fucking lush.”
I don’t enjoy saying these things. In fact, I hate it. But it has the desired
effect. Mara storms away from me, off toward the coat check to retrieve her
purse and coat.
I don’t watch her leave. Instead, I snatch up a glass of champagne off the
nearest tray, toss it down, and ask Betsy Voss to dance.
Betsy is glad to take me up on the offer, slipping her hand into mine and
saying with ill-concealed curiosity, “Trouble in paradise? Don’t let her get
away, Cole—you’re such a gorgeous couple.”