Page 80 of Cruel Fate

“Miss Mayfair? Would you like a ride to the Lyndhurst? Or do you have another means of transportation arranged?” he gently prods.

The driver is dressed in a crisp suit and jacket. He’s older, his hair flecked with grey, and his eyes are kind. He opens the door, inviting me into the car.

“Thank you. That’s very nice of her.”

“She said she wanted you to arrive at the hotel safely. I’m Douglas. If you need anything, just ask.”

I climb into the car and he firmly shuts the door. He rounds the hood and settles behind he wheel, and I lean forward and rest my shoulder against the back of the passenger seat. “How long have you worked for the Maddoxes, Douglas?”

He turns slightly to address me but still keeps his eyes on the road. “Mr. Maddox, Kagan Maddox, hired me twenty-five years ago, and I’ve been driving for him and his family ever since.”

“I wish I would have been able to meet him,” I say, though if Zane’s father were still alive, I doubt I would be where I am now. Zarah toured the company looking for her place, and shewouldn’t have done that had her mother still been alive to guide her into adulthood.

“You remind me of Mrs. Maddox. God rest her soul.” Douglas turns his eyes to the road and doesn’t speak again until we reach the hotel.

He double parks in front of the Lyndhurst and helps me slide out of the car. The hotel is an elegant stone building that sits off the street and the stories loom above me, too high to count. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, my dear.” He sits behind the wheel and drives away, the traffic swallowing the black car as he merges into the stream of vehicles.

Because of the unexpected ride, I’m fifteen minutes early, but when I step into the lobby, Zarah’s already waiting, texting on her phone.

The Lyndhurst Hotel is the most luxurious building I have ever been in, and the chandeliers, high ceilings, flowers, and gold trim take my breath away.

It’s easy to forget Zarah and Zane own this building and employ every single person who works here. It’s no wonder the pressure that comes from taking control of Maddox Industries eats at Zane. It’s not only his company he’s responsible for. It’s all the other properties around King’s Crossing. I can’t imagine how many there are.

I don’t know why Zarah isn’t going to college and learning how to step into her mother’s shoes at the company like Zane is his father’s. Why is she wasting her time with Ash when she should be doing everything she can to help her brother?

Zarah sees me and waves me over. “Hi!”

She looks better than the day we went shopping. Her skin glows, and her dark hair is parted down the middle and falls in a smooth sheet down her back. She’s wearing her fuck-me shoes again, and I’m beginning to think she just likes to wear them.My own feet are taking a beating since I started my position as Zane’s assistant. In payroll, I didn’t need to walk anywhere but to the bathroom and occasionally to Simon’s office.

I blow out a sigh of relief and hug her—an embrace she returns. “Thank you for sending Douglas to pick me up. I left early to ride the bus.”

“You’re welcome, and I’m glad it worked out. We have a lot to do. Come on.”

“Where’s Hector?” I don’t see the hulking bodyguard anywhere, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t skulking around somewhere.

Zarah waves a hand. “I don’t know. He said he would wait.”

“How are you?”

Her smile trembles, revealing a chip in her cheerful façade. “Good. Busy. Ash is teaching me so much. I love it.”

I try to infuse sincere excitement into my voice. “That’s great!” I say, but I don’t like how closed off she sounds whenever she mentions Ash. Like she’s keeping a secret.

She leads me through the hotel, and the glamour of the building jerks my attention away. We stop at an enormous ballroom that’s already decorated for an event. A huge crystal chandelier hangs in the middle of the high ceiling, and colored lights make the room glow a muted purple. The tables are elegantly set, the fine china and cutlery sparkling, and there are flowers everywhere.

I gasp. I’m allowed to stand here, and I feel like a princess. “This is amazing.”

Zarah smiles indulgently at my awe. “It is. On the night of Zane’s party, the space will look similar to this, but we won’t have the lavender lights. How are the RSVPs coming along? While we’re here, we’ll give the banquet manager a tentative headcount. After I introduce you, it will be your responsibility to keep her informed. I want you involved as much as possible.”

“So far, there’s only been one decline, and that’s due to health issues.” Someone’s wife had a baby, and the delivery had been difficult. She’s still healing, and they’re staying home so she can rest. As I explain, her gaze sharpens.

“Look up their mailing address and send them a gift. ContactMon Petit, it’s a baby boutique in King’s Crossing, and order them something on behalf of Maddox Industries.”

“I can do that?”

“Yes. You don’t need permission, but if you feel strange doing something like that on your own, you can always run it by Harper first. We have an expense account for that kind of thing, and she can show you how to order and file the purchase. Extend our sympathy and well-wishes.”

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