Ivan laughs at me then, at my speechlessness, and I can’t help myself – I laugh too, putting my head in my hands. “Yes,” I say, blushing terribly. “I have heard of you. And I have to say, it has not all been good things.” “Oh, come on,” he says, still laughing a little. “It can’t have been all b
“Nah,” he says, smiling at me indulgently and leaning a little closer as well. Then, to my surprise and pleasure, he begins to tell me his life story. I find myself paying rapt attention to Ivan’s story for the next half hour, sipping on the glass of tequila that the waiter again delivers, savor
Daniel won’t let go of my hand once we’re back in the house. “Daniel,” I say, exasperated, trying to yank my hand free while he pulls me down the hall. “Let go – are you seriously going to tattle on me?” He just shoots me a look over his shoulder, saying nothing as we arrive at the doors to his da
I shake my head, my lips drawing to a firm line, and then I cross my arms over my chest, just as they’re both doing. There’s silence between us as we all glare around in a circle. Daniel gives first. I see him sigh and loosen his arms, putting his hands in his pockets instead. He sees that I have a
Kent climbs out of the second of three cars that take him and his captains to the meeting. He has shown up in force today, his overblown security force a deliberate message to Alden. Kent is done being pushed around and will rally his superior forces to stop it, if necessary. Climbing the short few
Kent clenches his jaw and looks slowly between Ivan and Alden, rage festering in his stomach. As he does, every single one of his men puts a hand on the gun at their hip. This was certainly not part of the plan. Alden was pushing the envelope here, letting Kent know that his allegiances have change
“Fay!” Kent yells the moment he walks into his house, storming down the hall. His household staff freeze and then scatter when they sense that something is wrong. Kent is passively pleased by this – they, at least, know their place. Still, Fay doesn’t answer him. Kent calls for her again, heading
The stable workers react in much the same way as his home staff did – getting out of his way as fast as they can and making themselves scarce, so that when Kent strides through the stable it looks like a ghost town. Only the horses are curious enough to peer at him over their stall doors. When he g