Page 130 of False God

“If he’snothere for you, he’s a fucking fool, Lili.”

I reach over and squeeze his forearm. “You’re a good guy, Cal Winston.”

“I know. It’s exhausting.”

My laugh is a soft huff as I watch my parents walk toward the stage with Oliver and Hannah. Grandpa follows with Bash. No sign of Kit yet.

Showtime.

“I’ll see you later,” I tell Cal, catching his nod before heading for my family.

31

Ahush falls over the room as soon as Oliver Kensington appears onstage.

Everyone’s taken their assigned seats, the classical music playing as ambient noise lowering to an inaudible level.

“Good evening, everyone,” Oliver tells the attentive crowd. “On behalf of the board and my family, I’d like to welcome you to Kensington Consolidated’s annual gala. As many of you know, we hold this event every year. Not only to celebrate our achievements as a company, but to also give back to the community. This year, all proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit that works tirelessly to build affordable housing. We’re fortunate to have their CEO, Linda Wilson, with us tonight. I am sure she would be happy to answer any questions for anyone looking to become involved in the organization. And if you’d like to make a financial donation, please see Martin at the back table. Martin, wave a hand.”

A middle-aged man standing to the left of the stage waves one hand.

“I’m proud to kick off the contributions with this commitment from Kensington Consolidated. We’ll be donating a hundred million dollars toward this incredible cause.”

Loud claps fill the room as the CEO covers her shocked face with her hands.

“Now, as many of you know, Kensington Consolidated is a family company. My earliest memories are visiting my father at the office. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to contribute to that incredible legacy. Serving as Kensington Consolidated’s CEO for the past twenty-three years has been an immense honor. And in that official capacity, I have an announcement to make.”

Whispers start to ripple through the room as Oliver pauses. Crew Kensington steps onstage, followed by a white-haired man I assume is Arthur Kensington. Lili appears next, followed by her mother and brothers. She’s smiling, but it looks a little forced. Not the carefree one I got used to seeing.

“Come over here, Crew.” Oliver claps his brother on the shoulder when he joins him at the lectern. “I’m thrilled to announce that, effective immediately, Crew will be rejoining Kensington Consolidated’s board and serving as the company’s COO. Hollywood’s loss, our gain. You had a longer career out there than most, little brother.”

Lili’s father rolls his eyes good-naturedly as laughter echoes through the room. He says a few words to his brother, shakes his dad’s hand, kisses his wife, then hugs his kids. They look like a whole happy family up there, loving and supportive.

I realize this was one of the “internal changes” Asher referred to during our phone call.

After the Kensingtons leave the stage and take seats at the head table, dinner gets served. The starter is a cantaloupe and cucumber soup, followed by a plate of salmon, served with asparagus, radish, and pickled strawberries.

Dessert is a buffet.

I walk out onto the huge balcony rather than wait in line, pausing when I spot the figure standing and staring at one of the marble sculptures.

Hands in pockets, I head for Lili, only stopping when I’m a couple of feet from her. “They need some plants out here.”

It’s all stone—the floor, the railings, the sculptures.

She stiffens, recognizing my voice, but doesn’t look away from the work of art. I study it too. A man, draped in a toga and holding three arrows. “Ares?”

“Apollo. He was the god of archery.”

“People used arrows in war,” I say, feeling the need to defend my guess for some reason.

Perhaps the naked disdain in her voice.

I have my answer as to whether Lili is angry about the way I left Saint-Tropez. The realization isn’t entirely depressing. She cares if she’s mad. If she were indifferent—or worse, over it—it wouldn’t have mattered when or how I left.

“Did you bring a date?” Lili asks, sounding bored.

My head rears back with shock.The fuck?She thinks I’d bring another woman to her family’s event?

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