Page 52 of Heart of Stone (Dark Billionaires)

Kate:And if you’re expecting a happy date at Alison’s party tonight, you’re going to be sorely fucking disappointed.

It wasn’t Warren’s fault he’d been away for so long. Whateversituationthat needed to be handled at the subsidiary had nosedived off a cliff, and he’d flown to their New York office to sort it out. Jensen, the oldest of the four Stones, had gone with him, which Rhys said signalled bad news.

Thatwas one of the benefits of Warren being gone. Rhys had been given strict instructions to keep her company, which helped Kate feel a little bit less… intimidated by living in a house full of security guards.

Saffron’s continuing presence had helped as well, of course. Particularly in the getting-ready-for-the-party department.

They’d chosen their dresses together. With Kate’s only real friends growing up being Warren and Aaron, her femininity was somewhat… underdeveloped. She’d had friends in secondary school, but they’d vanished after they’d graduated, confirming her suspicions that she’d effectively been a spare prick at a wedding.

It was nice to finally have a female friend, though. Saffron was full of suggestions about dresses and accessories, something that Kate had little knowledge of. Saffron had even suggested they book a make-up artist to get them both ready.

Kate had known just the woman.

Brit arrived several hours before the party started, once again dragging her suitcase of make-up. Her outfit, however, was a stark contrast to what she’d worn the day they’d questioned her father. Though her hair remained largely the same, tied in a long black ponytail that emphasised the shaved sides of her head, Brit wore a gothic evening dress complete with a high-low skirt and a corset.

“Oh my god,” Kate gasped upon seeing her. “That looks like a goth version of the wedding dress from theNovember Rainmusic video.”

Brit tilted her head, swinging her ponytail to the side. “That’s a very specific image you have there.”

Kate shrugged. “Guns N’ Roseswere my Dad’s favourite band. But you seriously look amazing.”

Unzipping her suitcase, Brit grinned. “Now let’s do the same to you.”

When late afternoon arrived, however, Kate looked up at her dress with apprehension.

“I’m not so sure about this,” she whispered to Saffron, whose white-blonde hair had been twisted in an elegant up-do. Brit had disappeared once their make-up was finished, providing a somewhat worrying explanation ofI’ve always wanted to jump Brax’s bones at work.

“Come on,” Saffron said encouragingly. “You’ll be fine. And your boobs will look amazing.”

“It’s all right for you, you look like a fucking Targaryen!”

Saffron did an excellent job of not looking smug. “I’m sure we all have a little Khaleesi inside of us.”

“Daenerys,” Kate said automatically, trying not to think about Brax and Brit having sex in his office.

“What?”

“Khaleesi was just her title. Her name was Daenerys.” Kate’s lips hardened into a firm line, thinking about the last few seasons. “I shouldn’t have brought it up, I’ll just get mad thinking about the ending ofGame of Thronesagain.”

Wrapping an arm around Kate’s shoulders, Saffron leant into her. “ButHouse of the Dragonseems to be good.”

Feeling like a toddler being talked out of a tantrum, she nodded. “Fingers crossed it stays that way. I’m so excited to see Nettles and Sheepstealer.”

“And theGame of Thronesshowrunners lost theirStar Warsjob?”

“You know that did cheer me up,” Kate admitted, nodding sincerely. She took a deep breath. “Right. Let’s put on my fucking dress.”

The needy, frustrated Kate who had decided to purchase the backless, sleeveless satin dress in a deep mauve was not the terrified, self-conscious Kate who crawled into it. Her hair had been lifted off her neck, artfully curled around her head in a dark brown corona. With every step, the slit in the long gown showed off more of her legs.

“What time did you say Warren was getting back?” Saffron asked, checking her reflection in the mirror at the end of the corridor. Even she looked nervous.

“He should have been back already.”

“Kate!” a familiar voice called from the bottom of the stairs. Mattie wore a smart black suit, with a tired-looking Sarah holding his elbow, dressed in an emerald green gown that brushed her toes. Little Leo toddled around on his chunky legs behind them, sporting a new tuxedo collar Kate had bought for him.

“You’re looking very handsome, Mattie,” Kate bent down to kiss his cheeks on account of her heels. “You look gorgeous, Sarah.” She looked down as Leo approached her. “And aren’t you quite the gentleman, Leo?”

“You’re looking very pretty. Both of you.” Mattie blushed as he took in Saffron’s Valyrianesque appearance. “You’ve just missed Warren, but people are starting to arrive for the party. Come on.”

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