Page 70 of Cruel Fate

“Zane.”

I sigh. “Do I think he’s capable of it? Yes. Do I think he would actually do something as horrific as that? Of course not. He isn’t that kind of guy.”

I’ve known Ash my entire life. Him beating up a woman, any woman, wouldn’t be a secret for long. I would have found out, and I sure as hell wouldn’t let him around Zarah.

Stella doesn’t believe me, and I flop onto my stomach and ball my pillow under my head. There’s just enough light coming in through the window from the streetlight outside, and I meether eyes. God, she’s so beautiful. Her hair shimmers like gold and her face is serene. She could wear a crown, and in that natural way she has, own it completely.

Mina’s a stupid fool for not seeing it.

“Zarah has a bodyguard,” she whispers.

“Good. We don’t know what caused the plane crash, and I wanted her to, but she values her independence too much. I’m glad Ash convinced her.”

“You don’t mind?”

“No. He cares about her, Stella. He just wants to make sure she’s safe.”

“He followed us around yesterday.”

“I’m sorry there are things about my life you don’t like, or that you’re going to have to get used to.”

She rubs her hand over my jaw, and I turn into her touch. I kiss her, and we stop talking. I forget everything but how she makes me feel. Like I can do no wrong.

Like I’m the true king of King’s Crossing.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Stella

Idress in a Donna Karan suit that I wore last week, hoping no one will remember. I can’t wait for my other clothes to be delivered later today, and I try not to let my enthusiasm flag because Zarah bought me the wardrobe.

It would fester if I let it. The knowledge that I haven’t bought anything for myself in all my life. Foster kids are taken care of by the state and other peoples’ generosity. It’s no different than letting Zarah hand over her credit card. The thousands she spent on our spree didn’t bother her, but the total will be seared into my brain forever.

Zane sits me down on the bed and braids my wet hair. I never learned how to do it myself, and I love it. The French braid is a little crooked, but I don’t mind.

He looks stressed out, even after a hot shower and a cup of coffee. There isn’t time to eat breakfast, and we’re at the office by eight-thirty. He disappears behind his door, and I already miss him. I don’t know when I’ll see him next. His schedule is full from now until tonight. He has a business dinner and didn’tinvite me to go, so I assume he doesn’t need me there—as his girlfriend or his assistant.

I’m still angry about what Mina said last night. The way children live is not an excuse to party. Kids growing up without stability isn’t a reason to buy a new dress, but if some good can come of it, I should participate in the fundraising events. She can’t represent every woman who does charity work, and I shouldn’t let her attitude keep me from volunteering. There must be a few women who actually care about the people who need the funds.

I start my day sipping a cup of coffee and entering a fresh batch of RSVPs.

The event of the year. It’s what it feels like, and I can’t help the buzz of excitement that zips through me because I’m part of it.

I begin a new learning module, but my mind wanders. I still don’t completely understand all of my duties as Zane’s executive assistant, but after what Chase said about Richard Denton, I’m not sure I should trust Harper anymore.

I haven’t spoken directly with Denton or Cramer in the week I’ve been Zane’s assistant. If they need me to know something, they communicate the information through Harper. The two men seem kind enough, affable, except when I hear them yelling their disagreements at Zane.

Everyone I meet in this new life is two-faced, and I can’t trust anyone except Zane and Zarah.

Harper hasn’t given me a list of tasks to start my day, and this morning besides catching up on RSVPs, I’m on my own. Zane’s in a meeting, and his empty office is a weight that presses against my back.

I look around the floor. Everyone is busy.

Sipping my coffee to wet my mouth, I log into Richard Denton’s email. When Harper was showing me the officeemail system, she logged into her boss’s, and I memorized his password. I’m not sure why I did except it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I peruse his inbox, but there isn’t anything I haven’t seen looking over Harper’s shoulder. Several of the emails are identical to Zane’s, as they’re working on the same projects, and there’s nothing to indicate he’s in collusion with Clayton Black. Nothing to indicate he’s planning a hostile takeover of Maddox Industries.

I open a random handful and skim the text. The emails’ contents aren’t surprising. Negotiations, deals, business details I don’t understand, but nothing looks suspicious and the emails are signed by people whose names I’m beginning to remember because they’re on the party’s guest list.

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