Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 20

There was no turning back now, and honestly, maybe that was for the best.

Claire glared at me, swallowing the words she was about to spit out. Then she snapped, “Of course I don’t know him. Why would I ever know someone like that? If he thinks he’s so tough, let him finish what he started!”

Pain twisted deep in my gut. Sweat prickled at my forehead, and every breath made me queasy. I could already feel the urge to vomit rising, but if I gave in now, the hundred grand on the table would slip right through my fingers. I’d tried to fake it by spilling some of the booze, but it hadn’t made a dent. There was just too much.

Someone in the crowd started laughing. “He’s done for. Look at his face. He’s turning green.”

“Bet he can’t hold it. Who knew easy money would be this hard?” another voice chimed in.

Catherine didn’t say a word at first. She just looked at me, her gaze cool and unreadable. Then she finally broke the silence. “If it’s too much, you could always admit defeat. Kneel and beg me. Maybe I’ll let you off easy.”

I slid onto the nearest stool, feeling the world tilt under me. “No way. I’m not getting on my knees. It’s just two more bottles. I’ll finish them. I just hope you’re as good as your word.”

She watched me for a long, quiet moment, like she was weighing something in her mind. “If you drink it all and make it to the door on your own, then from now on, if you ever need help in Cabinda, you can come to me.”

I caught Claire’s reaction in the corner of my eye. She went stiff, her mouth half open, but she didn’t say a thing.

“Well, Catherine,” I said, forcing a weak smile, “you’re generous. I won’t let you down.”

I twisted open the last two bottles and took a deep breath, bracing myself. My stomach churned dangerously. I pinched my thigh as hard as I could, desperate to stay alert, to keep everything down. I could feel my veins throbbing in my neck.

“Damn, look at him,” someone whispered. “He’s barely holding it together. Those veins are about to pop.”

With the last sip, the room spun and a splitting pain shot through my head. I could barely see straight. The silence in the room felt heavy.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify