Chapter 94 094
Joey’s POV
I've been staring at my phone's screen for a while now, like it was some sort of hidden trophy. And trust me it was worth it. This piece of gem I've been staring at was worth every single second I spent planning Danica's downfall.
The angle of the photo was just fucking perfect, exactly what I needed for the game I was about to play.
Danica thinks she can play the talented heroine game? She had no idea that two can always play the game. So, let the best player win!
I sighed in exhaustion as my gaze traveled towards the entrance of the grocery store for what seemed like the hundredth time. I had nothing to buy, but I've been standing around corners for over forty minutes just to look as normal as ever when the target finally walks into the game hole. But it seems she was running late. Or maybe she wasn't even coming at all. Maybe I was just busy wasting my time after all.
Just as I was about to give up and leave, she strode in, basket in hand with a lady that I assumed to be her assistant or maid… whatever.
I watched the girl try to collect the basket from her and watching her refuse to give it to the maid made me roll my eyes so hard in disgust.
She starting picking a few things from the shelves, without noticing my presence and the little bitch behind her just kept lazing around, acting all fucking innocent and guilty while her boss got things done.
While I pretended to shop a few things I didn't even need, I slowly approached Anabel until our hands touched the last peanut butter on the shelf at the same time.
Her gaze darted to my face and I let a smile spread across my face. “I got it first, Anabel” I muttered and she raised an amused brow.
“That's clearly bullshit, Joey. I touched it first” she responded, clearly not hiding her displeasure. And I would have loved to wipe the rude look off her face with one clean swipe of my palm against her face.
But I smiled instead, knowing I had something more important to achieve by talking to her.
“But I'll let you have it, because I'm sure you'd want it more than I do” I muttered and she smirked, snatching the butter before I even let it go completely.
“Of course you should, because you know it would be so dumb of you to keep fighting for something that isn't even yours” she retorted with a mocking smile and I felt my blood boil.
“Says the ‘princess’ who can't even keep her friend and her mate in check” I threw back with an equal mocking smile.
Her smile melted, her gaze narrowing at me as if she was having a hard time processing what she'd just heard.
“What did you just say?” She asked and my smile widened as I took one more step closer to her.
“I just said, you… arrogant little piece of work can't even keep your so-called friend and your mate in check. But of course you couldn't have known that they're messing around with each other while you're oblivious to everything” I repeated, dragging out every word enough for the message to sink.
The confusion on her face slowly grew into a frown, but I only lasted until she gave me a hard glare.
“What do you think you're doing, Joey? Do you think saying bad things about my friend and my mate would earn you points with me? Or do you actually think I'll become okay with you being my brother's partner all of a sudden? You don't deserve him, Joey. You need to understand that sooner than later” she muttered before turning to leave and I had to hit my tongue hard to keep myself from ruining everything I've worked for.
This has to work and it will! Even if I have to act dumb to everything she just said to me.
“This isn't about earning points with you, Anabel. Thorn loves me and that's all that matters. Your opinion doesn't matter. But this is different. This is about you! Your mate and your friend, Danica. It's hard to admit this as her own sister but I couldn't just hide this from you, because when you finally end up with a broken heart, Thorn would be affected too” I told her plainly and I saw the conflict in her expression.
She was still contemplating whether she should believe me or stand firm in the faith she had in her little friend. Too bad, I have solid proof to back this up.
“Why should I ever believe one word that comes from you, Joey? Everyone around here knows how sneaky and cunning you are. I mean, you even stole your sister's mate without a single remorse” she muttered, her eyes glinting with mischief and mockery.
I smiled, slow and poisonous. “Guess who made her first mate abandon her?” I muttered and her smile vanished in an instant.
“That's more like it. So, are you ready to give me the benefit of the doubt now?” I asked and she scoffed, the glare replacing the guilty expression she had barely seconds ago.
“I don't know what game you're playing, Joey. But I know Danica. I know the rift between you two and I know that she would never mess around with my mate. She might not say it bluntly, but I know darn well that she hates him” Anabel muttered proudly and I laughed, hard.
“Oh really? And you think it's impossible for feelings to grow between old mates? I'm really amused at your stupidity” I retorted, frustration gnawing at the surface. “Then how the fuck would you explain this? Them lingering around themselves so closely, in public? What would people think of you, if you aren't even important enough to make your mate respect your reputation in front of everyone?” I whispered with a smirk as I watched her eyes widen at the sight in front of her.
“What the hell is this, Joey?” She asked, her tone a low growl.
“It's exactly as you're seeing it. Your best friend was hugging your mate while everyone at the coffee shop watched them display such close affection” I responded and I could literally feel the anger radiating around her.
“Are you going to just let her off because she's your friend? Trust me, this would grow to become something you could never imagine. She has Alpha Alexander behind her now, and she has your mate wrapped around her pinky finger. You should show her what it means to mess with a MCWarren princess” I suggested, my tone soothing, convincing until I saw a visible crack in her resolve.
“So what? Are you suggesting I get rid of someone that has the Alpha's support?” She asked in sarcasm and I laughed, shaking my head.
“Of course not. You can just give her a warning. Sabotage her next surgery and she would immediately fall out of the Alpha's favor. I heard the patient is someone Alexander dotes on” I muttered and she sent me a look that screams ‘you're definitely out of your damn mind, bitch’
“And after sabotaging the surgery and something goes wrong, you think Alexander will let it slide?” She asked and I shrugged.
“He won't. And that's why you have to make it look like it was Danica's fault. You're smarter than getting caught, Anabel” I muttered before walking off, leaving her to her thoughts.