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Sitting beside Andrew, Dustin’s ears pricked up every time Andrew fondly mentioned “Little Canary,” stirring a slight discomfort within him.
Max said that Brielle wouldn’t go, and he took the phone back.
“Mr. Dorsey.”
Loosening the buttons on his tailored suit, a smile danced on Dustin’s lips. “I’m only in Beaconsfield for three days. Surely, Mr. Dorsey, you’re not so petty as to hide your treasures?”
He pulled out a box of matches, specially crafted with tiny red heads and white bodies. With a single strike, a pale flame emerged.
Dustin often preferred matches to lighters; they seemed to hold more character.
Lighting one up, he touched the flame to his cigarette.
Max’s expression turned frosty, his fingers playing absentmindedly with the beads on his wrist. “She’s my little canary, and if I wish to keep her hidden, she stays hidden.
Dustin squinted his eyes. If it wasn’t for Max personally saying such words, he would never believe that someone like Max would care about a woman like this.
He smiled. “Mr. Dorsey, if you’re so intent on caging her, haven’t you considered that your little canary might wish to fly out and explore? I happen to have a far more splendid cage at my place, yet to find its mistress.”
The insinuation was clear: You may see her as a canary, but I could make her a queen.
The air tensed sharply, prompting even Andrew to frown in disapproval.
After a moment of silence, Max hung up the call.
Dustin handed the phone back to Andrew, quite satisfied. “Seems Mr. Dorsey won’t be in the mood for a drink tonight.”
Andrew’s mouth twitched. “Are you seriously interested in her? Secondhand goods don’t bother you?”
Andrew dismissed Brielle with contempt. “Fun for a fling, sure, but hardly Infinity Brilliance’s First Lady material.”
“Quite the contrary.” Dustin replied, taking a sip of his drink. “Women aren’t commodities to be labeled new or used. If she pleases me, it matters not who she’s been with before. The body’s. pleasures are easy to come by, but only this little canary can satisfy the soul.”
Andrew set down his glass, his mood darkening. Unsure whether Dustin was joking or serious. he didn’t appreciate the thought of someone poaching from his friend’s territory.
Before he could speak, the room’s door swung open, and in came Aubree.
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Aubree didn’t expect company: this booth was usually Andrew’s private spot.
Dustin caught her eye and gave her a roguish wink..
Andrew, watching from the side, gestured towards Dustin. “Aubree, why don’t you sit next to Mr. Lynch?
Aubree remained silent for a long minute before slowly approaching Dustin.
Dustin, a hedonist at heart, wasted no time in pulling Aubree into his embrace.
“Miss Clements, sister to Andrew?”
Andrew’s grip tightened around his glass, fighting an unwelcome twinge of discomfort, “Yes.”
Dustin wasn’t one to turn down an attractive company sent his way.
He lifted Aubree’s chin, examining her striking features. Her luminous eyes drew him in.
Leaning in, he traced a path from her ear down her neck with his nose.
Aubree seethed, her hands clenching at her sides.
Unperturbed, Dustin grabbed a bottle, took a swig, then clasped Aubree’s chin, feeding her mouth–to–mouth.
Choking and coughing, tears welled up in Aubree’s eyes.
Dustin chuckled, pulling her closer. “You look much better flushed. Mr. Clements, how about she keeps me company tonight?”
Andrew’s expression shifted. He wanted to interject, but his phone rang–it was Tessa.
Irritated, he dismissed the matter, “Whatever you wish, Mr. Lynch.”
He sounded indifferent, not sparing Aubree a glance, as if she were nothing but a disposable
item.
Aubree’s gaze fell. Her heart had long ceased to feel pain. Loving Andrew, this was a process that had to be experienced.
Her eyes reddened, a struggle to break free brewing, but Dustin deliberately held her tight, his fingers teasing her waistline.
She held back anger until her phone rang. It was Brielle.
Grateful for Dustin’s loosened grip, Aubree rushed out to the corridor, answering the call, “Bri?”
Brielle was almost falling asleep but the thought of a stranger invading her apartment made her stir. She hadn’t had a chance to inform Aubree yet..
“Aubree. I…”
Before she could finish, Aubree’s muffled sobs came through.
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Standing beside the ladies‘ room, Aubree slumped against the cool wall.
Brielle sprang from her bed, knowing only Andrew could distress Aubree so.
“Where are you? Send me your location. I’ll come get you.”
