The Endgame Read Free

turn herself into his ideal woman, she had embarked on a punishing diet and exercise regime.
    Mark had helped her then. Pleased that she was making an effort, he had bought her a membership at an exclusive gym, hired a personal trainer for her, and made sure she stuck to her strict low-carb diet by monitoring what she ate.
    And she had done it. She had become Mark’s image of perfection. But it had been a hollow victory. Because she had quickly realised that she would never be secure in a love that was so conditional, so easily withheld. Now, instead of being proud, she felt ashamed that she had let him manipulate her so thoroughly, and in the process had become a person she didn’t respect very much.
    ‘I just wanted what’s best for you – even if it does mean I’ll have to fight off other men for you now,’ he added with a wry smile. ‘Because they’re all going to want you, Lisa.’
    ‘It doesn’t matter. I don’t want anyone else – only you.’
    He took her chin in his hand and turned her to face him, gazing adoringly into her eyes. ‘I love you so much, baby. You’re everything to me – you know that, don’t you?’
    ‘I know,’ she said, forcing herself not to flinch from the force of his words. A year ago they would have meant everything to her. Now they filled her with dread.
    ‘I can’t live without you.’
    ‘You don’t have to,’ she said, leaning in to kiss him because she couldn’t bear the intensity in his eyes any longer.
    He eventually pulled away with a reluctant sigh. ‘I want nothing more than to fuck you right now, here in the car, but we don’t want to mess up your dress.’
    She affected a regretful smile as she smoothed her hair.
    ‘But later ...’ he said.
    Lisa turned away and stared unseeingly out the window. It was going to be a long night.
    After a short journey, Andrew pulled up in front of a large, hacienda-style house, with a white render facade, metal grillwork at the windows and a red-tiled mission-style roof. It was a striking building, and Lisa presumed Grayson Fielding had designed it himself. As they walked up the short drive, she immediately felt intimidated by the imposing surroundings, the stylish sophistication of the house doing nothing to dispel her nerves. She fought the urge to turn and run as they stood on the doorstep and Mark rang the bell.
    She felt more out of her depth than ever when the door was opened by a very chic and stunningly beautiful woman. Tall and slender with caramel-coloured skin and a thick mane of glossy black hair that ran in a silky river halfway down her back, she looked like she had stepped straight out of the pages of a fashion magazine. This must be Isabel, Lisa decided – she could see why Mark would admire her so much. Her make-up was perfect, her skin flawless, and her silver sequinned dress was understated and elegant. Lisa immediately felt dowdy in comparison. No amount of grooming and pampering could make her a match for this goddess.
    ‘Hello, Mark. And you must be Lisa.’ She spoke with a slight accent that Lisa guessed was Spanish or Latin American. ‘Come in.’
    Lisa was instantly reassured by the genuine warmth of Isabel’s smile as she ushered them inside, and she felt herself relax a little as they stepped into a tiled, double height entrance hall.
    ‘It’s lovely to see you, Mark.’ Isabel kissed him on both cheeks, and he gave her the flowers they’d brought.
    ‘Thank you – they’re beautiful,’ she said, taking them from him. ‘And you’ve brought dessert,’ she murmured, glancing at Lisa. ‘I approve.’
    Lisa was puzzled by the remark. They had only brought the flowers.
    Isabel turned to her then. ‘Welcome,’ she said, holding out her hand. ‘I’m Isabel. I’m very glad you’ve come.’
    ‘Thank you. It’s lovely to meet you.’ Lisa took her hand and Isabel leaned in to kiss her cheek in a cloud of subtle perfume. She even smelled amazing.
    Then she held Lisa at arm’s length,