“Then what are you saying exactly?”
“I’m saying you’re pretty enough, but hardly one of the most beautiful women I’ve seen.”
About to ask for a qualification of her comment, Delphine cut Aviva off.
“My dear Aviva, I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that you’re no raving beauty. In my estimation, you could only be categorized as pretty.”
About to interject into the one-sided conversation, Delphine shushed her into silence. “Don’t be tiresome, dear. You and I both know that beauty alone does hold the attention of a great man. While it doesn’t hurt to have it, it’s not necessary.”
For the first time since Jackson and the stunning woman entered the room, Delphine turned her back on the couple and looked directly at Aviva. “She’s not right. We, of course, need to put an end to this, are you with me?”
“Umm…I…”
Giving her a pitiful look, Delphine turned back to the couple who were now making their way towards them.
When Jackson arrived at their side, the smile he gave them showed he was at his most charming. That was all it took for Aviva to smile back. He was one of her favorite men on the planet. She couldn’t make up her mind if he came second or third after Jason. For her, Jackson and Josh shifted in position from one day to the next.
“Delphine, Aviva, I would like to introduce this lovely lady to you both.” Taking hold of the woman’s hand, Jackson held it as he smiled at her before turning back to them. “Camille Lockwood,” Jackson began the introduction. “I would like to introduce, Aviva, my daughter-in-law, and Delphine Hudson, an old and dear family friend. Ladies, Camille Lockwood.”
The smile he gave Camille caused Aviva’s heart to hitch. Turning to Delphine, she was surprised to see her roll her eyes.
Aviva wanted the best for all the Kingdom men, and especially for Jackson. Out of all of them, he was the one who most deserved to be happy. He’d suffered so much at the hands of his ex-wife and his inability to protect his children. Jackson had her complete respect; therefore, whomever he chose was fine with her. Even if she’d already decided to give him a helping hand.
Seeing Jake signaling for his attention. Jackson left the women alone to become better acquainted. As he walked away, Aviva used the opportunity to study the older woman more carefully. She was probably around five-six without her heels and in her estimation way too thin. The size and height of her breasts made Aviva think the woman could quite possibly rest her glass on them should she choose to.
On closer inspection, Camille was indeed lovely, and by the look of her taut skin, she’d paid her surgeon well to accomplish the feat. Obviously, Jackson had a penchant for beautiful dark haired women because, Camille was both those things and not much different from Laura.
“Welcome to our home, Camille,” Aviva said, the first to break the silence that was at risk of becoming awkward.
“Really, you live here?” Camille asked with one of the most calculated looks Aviva had ever seen. Where the serene woman who’d accompanied Jackson moments before had gone, Aviva had no idea.
“Yes, she lives here. She just welcomed you to her home,” Delphine answered entering the conversation.
“Probably not for much longer,” she responded with a big fake smile. Turning her attention to Aviva, Camille took her time as she looked her up and down. “I’m sure all that will change once Jackson and I marry.”
Oh no, Aviva thought, she’s gone and done it now, as she stood back to watch the display. Delphine was primed and ready to unload.
“I don’t know who the hell you are or where you came from, so if I were you, I’d listen carefully. Jackson Kingdom is not for you. He will never be for you. Do I make myself clear?”
“How sweet, do you want him for yourself?” Camille asked, looking Delphine up and down and obviously finding her to be no competition. “Really…Delphine is it. Jackson said you were an old, family friend. I suspect if he wanted you, he would have had you years ago.” Throughout her putdown, Camille maintained a smile that sent shivers down Aviva’s spine.
“Oh, so you think you can take me on do you?” Delphine questioned. Taking a step closer to her adversary, she too plastered a smile on her face. “Do you have a secret, Camille?” She whispered. “Do you have a deep dark secret that you want no one to know about? I bet you do. Women like you always do. What Jackson forgot to mention is that I’m also the family attorney. By this time tomorrow, I will know everything there is to know about you, and whatever I find out, I will expose.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Jesus, why are some women so stupid! I didn’t threaten you; I just made you a promise!”