Chapter 6 6

The blades of the helicopter sliced through the humid air as they descended onto the pristine lawn of the Greenwich Polo Club. Kate gripped the leather armrest.

"Relax," Armond said, his voice low in her headset. "You look like you're going to an execution."

"Social execution," Kate muttered.

She was wearing a white vintage dress Armond had had delivered that morning. It fit perfectly, which was terrifying.

When they stepped out, the cameras started clicking. Armond took her hand. His grip was firm, possessive. He pulled her close, presenting a united front to the vultures.

"Smile," he whispered against her ear. "Don't embarrass me."

They walked toward the VIP tent. Kate saw them immediately. Lucas and Estelle. Lucas was holding a champagne flute, his knuckles white as he watched Kate approach on the arm of the most powerful man in New York.

Estelle looked like she had swallowed a lemon. "How?" she hissed to Lucas. "How is she with him?"

Armond didn't even acknowledge Lucas's existence. He walked past him as if he were a piece of furniture. It was the ultimate insult.

Inside the tent, the air was cooler. Kate took a breath, but it was cut short by a figure in a red jumpsuit blocking her path.

Evette Duncan. The shipping heiress. Armond's ex-fiancée.

"Armond, darling!" Evette kissed Armond on both cheeks, lingering too long. Then she turned her predatory gaze to Kate.

"And this must be the consultant," Evette said, her voice carrying over the chatter. "I heard you charge by the hour. Two million for the night, was it?"

A ripple of titters went through the nearby group of socialites. Kate felt the blood drain from her face.

Armond stood still. He was watching Kate. Waiting.

Kate straightened her spine. She thought of Leo. She thought of the gallery. "Actually, Ms. Duncan, my rates are based on value added. Something you might struggle to afford, given your family's recent stock performance."

The laughter stopped. Evette's eyes narrowed into slits. "Clever girl. Let's see if you're as good in bed as you are at reading financial reports."

Suddenly, a shout from the field drew everyone's attention. A horse had spooked, breaking through the low wooden barrier near the tent.

The crowd screamed.

Before Kate could react, an arm clamped around her waist. Armond yanked her behind him, shielding her body with his own. The horse thundered past, inches from them, mud flying.

It happened in a split second. Armond's reaction was instinctual. Pure protection.

When the horse was corralled, Armond released her. He smoothed his jacket, looking annoyed, but his eyes scanned her quickly for injuries.

Lucas took the opportunity to approach, emboldened by the chaos. "Mr. Emerson," he said, stepping into their space. "I heard you're looking at the tech sector. Sterling Group has some-"

"Who are you?" Armond interrupted, his voice flat.

Lucas's face turned a violent shade of red.

Kate felt a surge of dark satisfaction.

Later, during the divot stomp, Kate found herself separated from Armond by a throng of people. Lucas materialized at her elbow.

"You think you're safe?" Lucas whispered, his breath smelling of alcohol. "I know about the kid in Queens. A little boy. Does Emerson know he's paying for another man's bastard?"

Kate froze. "You stay away from him."

"If Emerson finds out you're playing him, hiding a kid... he'll crush you. You're walking on a knife's edge, Kate."

Across the field, Armond was watching. He saw Lucas lean in close to Kate. He saw the intensity on their faces.

Jealousy, hot and irrational, flared in his chest. He didn't know what they were saying, but he saw the intimacy of enemies.

He started walking toward them, his strides long and angry.