Page 113 of Cruel Hearts

Chuckling, I brush my lips over hers to give the paparazzi something to print. I lift my head and they shout more questions, but I’ve been patient long enough.

“What happened to your face?” one asks, smirking.

Asshole.

I tap my finger against my cheek and tell him the truth. “This is what you get when you make the wrong female pissed at you. A little warning, gentlemen.”

They laugh.

“Come on,” I mutter to Nat and lead her into Luna Blanc.

The cool air feels crisp against my skin, and Nat breathes a sigh next to me.

We follow the hostess to a banquette hidden in a dark corner of the restaurant. Ash is already there sitting next to a woman I’ve never met, but she looks familiar. She doesn’t have the deer-caught-in-headlights expression like Nathalie’s friend, Mandi. Either she’s new and doesn’t know better or she’s protected by who she is.

He stands, smoothing his tie, and kisses the back of Nat’s hand. I’m impressed—she doesn’t flinch or pull away.

Ash is a wonderful actor. Not one blink betrays the fact that for seven years he sold this woman to whoever would pay, including the city’s mayor. I give him nothing to indicate I know and casually shake his hand, leaning in and turning our handshake into a one-armed hug. He’s a good actor, but I’m learning how to be one, too.

He studies the angry red scratches streaking down my cheek and raises an eyebrow, but he doesn’t comment. “Eleanor Guthrie, this is Zane Maddox, and his fiancée, Nathalie Barton. You know who Zane is, of course, and Nathalie was in the...entertainment business.” He chuckles and continues, “Zane, Nathalie, this is Eleanor, but she prefers Nora.”

She stands, holding out her hand, and lightly grasping it, I kiss her cheek.

Now I know why her face is familiar, and why she’s not scared of Ash. She’s the daughter of Minnesota’s governor, Alan Guthrie. An attorney herself, she specializes in human rights and has successfully prosecuted several human and sex trafficking ringleaders in the state.

One of the cases Nora helped blow apart took place right here in King’s Crossing about four years ago. She worked undercover for months, hanging out in bad parts of the city and partying with young girls who were easy targets. They kidnapped her, and she was a crucial piece of the team that brought down one of the largest human trafficking outfits in the city.

I wonder why she and Ash are having dinner together.

Ash orders champagne, and Nathalie hums in appreciation as the sommelier walks away.

He ordered Cristal, of course.

“What’s the occasion?” Nora asks, puzzled and amused.

“Zane and Nathalie are newly engaged,” Ash says, tipping his head toward us, the usual hard glint in his eyes. “They haven’t officially announced it, but I wanted to start celebrating.”

“Congratulations,” she says to Nathalie. “I bet you’re excited. First marriages for both of you? That will be a big party.”

“First and last,” I answer for Nat, kissing her cheek and trying not to choke.

Ash waits until the sommelier returns to our table and serves us to explain, “I asked Nora to help me plan our annualfundraiser. This year we’ve scheduled it on a later date to enjoy the cooler fall temperatures, and we’ll hold it outside as a change from a stuffy ballroom. We’re focusing on the sex trafficking that is going on right under our noses. Hundreds of women and children go missing in our state every year. Black Enterprises wants to put a stop to that.”

Nathalie tenses, and her hand trembles as she sips champagne that costs the equivalent of three months of her rent.

Ash has balls, I’ll give him that.

“Oh? That’s an interesting choice, considering Ladies and Gentlemen,” I say, leaning back against the banquette’s cushion and cuddling Nathalie to me. Ash has to have an angle or he wouldn’t be doing this.

He smiles ruefully, but Nora laughs and says, “His strip club isn’t a concern. The women who work there do so of their own free will. They’re paid more than a fair wage and are treated better than any men’s entertainment club in the Midwest. I’ve looked into it. Trust me, I wouldn’t partner with Black Enterprises if it appeared to be a conflict of interest. I have my reputation to consider.” She beams at Ash and he rubs his thumb across her cheek.

“Let me know what I can do to help,” I offer half-heartedly. I paid him for Nathalie and I’ll never give him, or any of his foundations, another dime.

“I was wondering if Zarah could help us plan, ease her back into our social circle,” Ash says. “She’s so good at it. Or at least, she used to be. Lark taught her well.”

“She’s still acclimating to being at home. It’s been quite an adjustment, as you can imagine,” I reply smoothly, needing all my willpower to hide how pissed I am he has the audacity to bring up my sister, and never once mentioned, not even as a passing side note, he bought the facility where he kept her prisoner.

“Yes, you’re right. Maybe next year,” he says and changes the subject.

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