Page 103 of Wretched Heart
My husband leads me down the red carpet while Ash walks on his own ahead of us. Reid and Mace follow behind. The Griffin brothers don’t court the press, but there are enough flashes and calls for our attention that make me keep my smile fixed. Until Hunter leans in and presses his mouth to my ear.
“You look stunning,” he whispers above the clicking of too many cameras. “I just hope the photos don’t pick up my hard-on.”
I should be more nervous now that he’s drawn every camera lens towards us, but Hunter’s distraction works. My smile is genuine as I glance up at him. “Would you like some help with that?”
“Yes, please.”
My hips sway a little bit more as we enter the glittering foyer of the Excelsis, one of Moncrief’s flagship hotels. It doesn’t take long for this evening’s host to find us. Rory Moncrief has dark russet hair, sharp cheekbones and kind eyes. He’s a bit older than Ash, and just as devastatingly handsome as his best friend, or any of the Griffins.
“You guys scrub up well,” he says as he thumps Ash on the shoulder. He attacks Hunter next. “I expectedyouto turn up in overalls covered in paper pulp.”
Hunter and I have been splitting our time between Chicago and Brimstage, where we stay in the original house the Griffins rented. It was the first place that ever felt like home to me. I have no intention of returning to the Corbyn mansion, which is being mothballed until I decide what to do with it.
“My paper mill is state of the art,” I tell him. “You’re just as likely to see people in lab coats as you are overalls.”
“That’s a shame. I bet you look lovely in overalls, Maddie,” Rory says, kissing my hand. “And may I say you look even lovelier in the flesh than I could ever have imagined. And I did imagine.”
Hunter slaps his hand away from me. “Fuck off, Rory,” he says with a growl that’s on the friendly side, but only just. “And keep my wife out of your damn imagination.”
“Is that any way to talk to your host? Especially onewho’s catering to your every need,” he says as he takes a key card from his inside pocket and slides it into Hunter’s. “Ash warned me what you two are like. If you can’t manage to keep your hands off each other this evening, take it upstairs. My guests don’t want to seethatkind of show tonight.”
Hunter smiles. I blush. “I hope it’s one of your top floor rooms.”
“Why?” asks Rory with a smirk. “How loud does Mad–”
“Do not finish that sentence,” I warn.
Rory purses his lips as he turns to me. “Anything for you, Maddie. Especially if you could stop giving me such a hard time in our negotiations. I want that house of yours.”
“And you’ll have it – once you’ve agreed to visit our little town,” I remind him.
Rory wants to convert the Corbyn mansion into an exclusive retreat, and I’m close to agreeing the terms. Ownership never did transfer to me after I tore up my divorce papers, but it’s a moot point. I’m a part of the Griffin empire now, and I’ve been charged with deciding the future of that particular asset.
“You need to see it for yourself, and earn the trust of our little community, especially the independent businesses who’ll see you as a threat until you convince them you’re an untapped resource,” I tell Rory. “You don’t have to be so afraid.”
“If they’re as tenacious as you, I think I do.”
“There’s only one Maddie,” Reid says with a laugh.
“I suppose we should be grateful for that.” Rory glances at Mace, who’s only half-listening to our conversation. “Broken any arms lately, Mace?”
Mace gives him a look. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you don’t. Just keep it out of my hotels.”
I have no idea what Rory could mean, and looking at Mace’s brothers, neither do they. But it’s a worry for another day.
“You’re not going to like this,” Rory says, glancing over our shoulders. “But Alice Emerson is here.”
Hunter places a hand on my back. He and his brothers don’t turn around, so neither do I. But my stomach churns.
“Jesus, Rory. Did you invite her?” asks Ash.
“You know I have to appear neutral. It keeps everyone guessing where my allegiances lie,” he answers.
“Did Barrett get an invite too?” Hunter demands.
“After the stunt he pulled, there’s no way he’d show his face here,” Rory says a little too confidently.
