Page 5 of Cruel Dreams

I pat my pocket, double checking the engagement ring I picked out is still tucked away. I haven’t asked Nat to marry me because it’s all a sham, but she doesn’t have a ring and I had to fix that. Getting down on one knee will be romantic, and people will gossip about it for months. I didn’t talk to Mel about this part—especially not in front of Stella—but I don’t see how it could do any harm. She was mostly concerned about me talking to Clayton, and I’ll have to be careful there. He’s been at this for a lot longer than I have.

The elevator doors open, and the woman offers Nat an icy smile. Her husband urges her into the elegant corridor and shoots me an apologetic grimace. I smile wryly, accepting the apology. She shouldn’t have anything to complain about. Besides the foundation gala Ash’s PR people are already promoting to build buzz, she possesses the social status and wealth to be invited to the biggest event of the year. No need to be envious of my fake fiancée.

Standing alone and watching his guests mingle and suck down booze, Ash is leaning against the bar, his ankles crossed. Though this is a happy occasion, he gives off a chilly, threateningvibe. We immediately head in his direction, and I request a scotch and a flute of champagne for Nathalie.

“Zane, good to see you. You’re looking well, though a little soft,” he says, jabbing quick and sharp at my gut. “I need to get you onto the squash court more often.” He’s supposedly teasing, but it sounds like he’s not, and it looks like he’s not, his hard eyes raking my body.

I stiffen. I don’t look any different than I have any other time he’s seen me, even my cheek healed well enough the scabs turned into a muted pink under my whiskers. He’s trying to put me on edge, and I don’t like it.

“Nathalie, you’re beautiful as always. The time off is doing you some good I see,” he says, kissing the back of her hand. A tiny purse dangles from her arm by a thin silver strap.

“Oh, I don’t know. You were always catching me lying down on the job,” she says lightly.

Ash huffs a laugh and throws a quick glance my way. It must be difficult to keep so many balls in the air without letting any of them drop.

“I didn’t mind,” he drawls. “You still earned your keep. Isn’t that right, Zane?”

To anyone else this would be harmless banter, but I can’t help but take it personally. I put my arm around her shoulders and kiss her temple. “She doesn’t have to worry about that anymore.”

“Of course,” Ash says smoothly. “Let me borrow him for a moment, will you?” he asks, but it’s not a request.

Nat nods because there isn’t anything else she can do, but she isn’t alone for long. Everyone wants a piece of the soon-to-be Mrs. Maddox, and they’re desperate to be on her good side, wanting all the perks her friendship will give them. In this crowd, she won’t find anyone who wants to be friends simply to be friends. Not like Zarah and Stella’s friendship. She drains herglass and asks the bartender for another. I can’t blame her, but I hope she lightens up.

“Zane, I’m sorry I didn’t make it to dinner at Luna Blanc,” Clayton says, approaching Ash and me. He slaps me on the back, the force sloshing the scotch over the rim of my glass.

“Clayton,” I say, holding out my hand and grasping his long and hard, “thanks for this. It was very thoughtful of you.”

He either ignores it or doesn’t notice, yanking his hand away when I don’t let go. “It wasn’t a problem. You got yourself a good one there. She won’t disappear with an Italian prince after the main course.”

“No, I don’t believe she will,” I say, and I drain what’s left in my glass. “Stella chose poorly and look where that got her.”

Clayton nods. The tux doesn’t soften his hawk-like appearance, the cut of his jacket sharpening the rigid line of his shoulders even more than usual. At fifty-five, he still oozes vitality, his skin a healthy tan from all the hours he spends playing tennis and golf. My father should be standing where he is, and this party should be for Stella and me. I clench my teeth.Forget about that now.

“Shot down in the street by a mugger.” Hetsks.“I can’t say I’m surprised, but I know at one point you cared about her, so I’ll say I’m sorry and we can drop the whole mess.”

“Thank you. That means a lot, and I think I can say the past is finally in the past. Stella’s death gave me the closure I needed to move on, and I realized I needed to keep Nathalie by my side for the rest of my life. She helped me heal after Stella betrayed me, and I thank Ash from the bottom of my heart for introducing us. He changed my life.”

“Anything for a friend,” Ash says absently, his eyes traveling around the room.

Guests are filling the ballroom, and their chatter is a dull hum that will only grow louder as they drink to the bottom of their glasses.

Fashionably late, Vance Huxley arrives and eagerly steps into the room. His eyes search for, and find, Nathalie right away, and Ash involuntarily steps toward our overly-excited mayor.

I use all my willpower to push back a satisfied smile. Games are definitely more fun when you control what the rules are.

Clayton seems to be in a good mood, willing to talk, sipping a beer directly out of the bottle. Very uncharacteristic of him, but he can’t keep the grin off his face, and he rocks on his heels taking in the crowd.

“When will you tie the knot?” I ask Ash to continue the conversation.

“Now that Zarah’s recovering, perhaps sooner than I thought. I had the top doctors working with her at Quiet Meadows. I thought if anyone could cure her it would be them, but you tell me she’s responding better at home. I have to say, I never would’ve expected that. I’d love to see her.”

I bet you would, you son of a bitch.I tighten my hand around my empty glass.

Clayton stiffens. “I thought those were rumors. What possessed you to discharge her, Zane? Ash was paying top dollar for quality care.”

“The problem,” I say, biting back a spurt of rage, “is that you can’t buy love. Zarah needs her family. She wasn’t loved at Quiet Meadows and she needs to be at home.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Clayton sips his beer, narrowing his eyes.

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