The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 21

Katherine sat in a cab chewing her nails as she waited across the street from the parking garage exit of the DaLair corporate office. She tried the front entrance first only to find security waiting to escort her out again. As much as she tried to protest and claim Julius kicking her out had only been a joke security took his last orders seriously. Until Julius told them directly to ignore his last order she was barred from the building.

Next she tried to enter through the parking area knowing there had to be elevator access. Unfortunately the parking garage had barred gates and only those with company keycards could access it. Denied twice she had no choice but to sit and wait.

The cab driver said nothing as they idled. Every minute the meter continued to run up so it meant more money for him. Katherine ignored him as he worked his crossword puzzle. Her mind again recalled her father’s scolding. She knew they were having difficulties with her father’s hotels but she hadn’t expected they would soon be broke. Securing herself a husband and a comfortable life was even more imperative. If she wanted to maintain her lifestyle she needed Julius at the altar.

She twisted her five carat engagement ring she bought in anticipation of Julius’s proposal. If only she could have gotten him back to her room two years ago. The DaLair’s were a family fiercely loyal to their own. If she succeeded in becoming pregnant with Julius’s child they would have had no choice but to welcome her with open arms.

The last two years had not gone without her trying but Julius never succumbed to his drink again. In fact the incident left him wary and he only accepted glasses directly from his servers which made her suspect he might be suspicious of someone tampering with his drink in the past. She never dared to try the same trick again and he remained cold and aloof toward her.

Even when attending the same events Julius never offered to pick her up or escort her inside. She always needed to find her own transportation. He never embraced her, never so much as kissed her cheek. When other men hit on her he never leapt to defend her honor.

Beside her lay a copy of the magazine her father threw at her with the images of the redhead in Julius’s passionate embrace. How did she succeed when Katherine failed? It wasn’t fair. Just who was she? Looking at it again Katherine had the nagging suspicion she met the redhead before but where?

Turning her attention back to the window she saw the parking gate rise and Julius’s car pulled out onto the street. She tapped the divider saying, “Follow him.”

The cab driver nodded putting away his crossword. He followed the BMW at a discreet distance though it was unlikely anyone would notice one random cab among the fleet that existed throughout the city.

Katherine continued to fiddle with her hands. She needed a plan. Normally all she had to do was bat her eyes in the right direction and men lined up to fulfill her every desire. Julius proved a more difficult target. He seemed impervious to her usual charms. Never once had he taken her anywhere of his own volition. She had to practically drag him around to get him anywhere.

She had yet to enjoy the jealous looks of other woman as she entered a venue hanging on Julius’s arm. They would be the talk of the town and on the front page of every gossip magazine if only she would get him to pay a little attention to her. There had to be a way to guilt him into being more attentive.

Perhaps if she flirted with someone else? But she tried that before. Julius simply walked away and Katherine had to deal with a leach who didn’t know when to leave her alone for the rest of the night. Perhaps she should have pretended to be pregnant but she knew Augustus would demand a paternity test before he would concede to her. There had to be a way to salvage the situation. If only it weren’t for the redhead none of this would matter.

Katherine looked at the magazine again ready to scream as she recalled how Julius held the other woman: his arms wrapped around her, his hands caressing her body as his mouth devoured hers. Katherine never knew he could be like that. What did that woman possess Katherine didn’t?

As they drove across the Brooklyn Bridge Katherine suddenly became aware of their surroundings. She tapped the partition demanding, “Where are we going?”

“I don’t know ma’am,” the driver shrugged. “I’m just following the car like you told me to.”

Katherine huffed watching the BMW in front of them. Though she had never been invited she thought Julius’s condo was in Brooklyn. Was she mistaken? Just where was he going?