Page 67 of Cruel Fate

“Not traveling?” Mina raises her glass to her ruby red lips.

I wonder how fast the news will circulate around King’s Crossing. Mina won’t keep anything I tell her to herself. “This will be the first year without Mom and Dad. It may be best to stay close to home, but I haven’t talked to Zarah about it yet.”

The smile on Mina’s lips falls. “Of course.”

I didn’t want to put her in her place, but Zarah and I are still grieving.

“Any news about that?” Chase asks, rubbing Mina’s shoulder. I was too blunt and I hurt her feelings.

“No. I’m beginning to think there won’t be.”

That’s the truth.

My party can’t come soon enough. I’m anxious to ask Clayton about his PI preferences. I need a good one who won’t be averse to a little dirty digging. I suspect I won’t find information any other way, and Clayton Black will know who can get the job done.

I need to pull my head out of the sand.

My grieving time, despite what I just told Mina, is over.

I listen to Stella and Mina talk about growing up in King’s Crossing. Mina’s family is wealthy, and she and Chase traveled within the same social circles before they married. They have two little kids at home, and they employ a full-time nanny though Mina doesn’t work. Instead, she chairs several foundations, and she brings them into the conversation.

“You should declare a charity,” she says to Stella. “Ask a reporter at the paper to interview you and start making a name for yourself.”

Stella blinks. “What do you mean?”

“A charity to represent, to help them raise money. What’s your cause?”

Stella’s cheeks pink, and I sense us drifting into dangerous waters.

Chase is oblivious, plowing through his meal and guzzling champagne like it’s free.

Oh, right. It is.

“What she means,” I say, resting my hand on the nape of Stella’s neck to calm her down, “is find an area of concern that needs support. Your position as my assistant gives you contacts and resources.”

Mina nods, the diamond twinkling at her throat. “That’s right. Pay it forward.”

Chase’s wife wouldn’t know about paying it forward if it bit her in the ass. Attending charity functions is a convenient excuse to show off her newest dress. Maybe Stella could infusea little integrity into some of the events around here. It will be interesting to watch.

“Is there something that helps foster kids?” she asks, her lips stiff.

Mina frowns, her delicate, filled-in brows coming together. “I’m not sure. Why don’t we go to lunch and talk about it? If there isn’t something, we can create an organization. Everyone likes a new cause.”

I hold in a sigh. Stella won’t take that the way Mina intended it. I don’t hang around purposely vicious people. They just don’t understand how good they have it.

She pokes at the cold chicken on her plate. “I would like that.”

Thinking she’s done a nice thing, Mina grins. I’ll have to smooth some balm over the burn. In private. With my tongue. Under the table, my hand inches up Stella’s thigh. She slightly parts her legs, and heat radiates from between them. My cock stiffens. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want Stella.

She shifts and crosses her legs, blocking me out.

I groan, and there’s an edge to her saucy smile.

Over dessert, Chase says, “Did you hear about the woman who accused Ash of rape?”

Stella freezes, and her hand stills above her plate. She dislikes him, and this will add fuel to the fire.

“No,” I say guiltily. I promised Ash if I was dating Stella I wouldn’t forget about our friendship, but we haven’t spoken since lunch at the club. Not even a text.

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