Chapter 6 6

The black Rolls-Royce Wraith glided to a perfectly smooth stop right at the base of the red carpet outside The Capital Club.

Four valets wearing immaculate white gloves immediately rushed forward.

The head valet bowed deeply and pulled open the heavy rear door.

Hill stepped out first. His long legs hit the pavement.

He turned around and placed his large hand flat against the roof of the car, physically blocking the freezing rain from hitting the doorframe. The gesture was aggressive and totally possessive.

Ainsley took a deep breath.

She stepped out of the car. The stiletto heels she found in the bag clicked sharply against the pavement. The black silk of her dress whipped around her legs in the cold night wind.

Carmel tossed the heavy car keys to the valet and walked around to Ainsley's right side.

The three of them walked shoulder-to-shoulder toward the glowing gold revolving doors.

Inside the massive, crystal-lit lobby, Preston Yates was sweating through his suit.

He was leaning over the marble front desk, aggressively arguing with the general manager.

Katharina stood a few feet away, wearing a custom pink Chanel dress. She clung tightly to Kade's arm, looking deeply annoyed by the delay.

Eleanor sat heavily on a velvet sofa nearby, loudly complaining that the club's reservation system was disrespectful to new money.

Preston slammed his hand on the marble counter.

"I am Preston Yates of the Thomas family! I demand you find us a private booth by the window immediately!"

The manager kept his hands folded perfectly behind his back. His smile was polite but made of pure steel.

"I apologize, sir. But tonight, every single private booth has been secured by our top-tier VIP members."

Katharina felt the stares of the other guests. Her face burned with embarrassment.

She stepped up and gently tugged on Preston's sleeve. "Daddy, please. The main dining hall is fine."

At that exact second, the massive revolving doors were pushed open.

A blast of freezing autumn wind swept into the heated lobby.

Katharina instinctively turned her head toward the entrance, desperate to see which top-tier VIP had just arrived.

Her eyes scanned past the towering Roman columns.

Her gaze slammed directly into the girl wearing the black silk dress.

Katharina's pupils blew wide open. Her jaw actually dropped.

The girl radiating absolute, untouchable elegance was Ainsley. The same Ainsley they had literally kicked out into the dirt thirty minutes ago.

Kade followed Katharina's stare.

His entire body froze. His eyes locked onto Ainsley's bare shoulders and the perfect fit of the silk dress. A raw, undeniable flash of pure lust hit Kade's eyes.

Eleanor saw her too.

The old woman gasped so hard she knocked her crystal glass of lemon water right off the table. It shattered on the floor.

Preston spun around.

When he saw Ainsley standing there, the blood rushed to his face, turning his skin a violent, furious red.

He instantly assumed Ainsley had stalked them here to beg for cash and ruin their reputation in public.

Preston stomped across the lobby floor. He moved so fast he violently shoved a waiter carrying a tray of champagne out of his way.

Ainsley stopped walking.

She stood perfectly still, watching her former foster father charge at her like a rabid dog. Her eyes were completely dead.

Hill stood exactly half a step behind Ainsley's left shoulder.

He narrowed his eyes. A terrifying, lethal darkness began to pool in his black pupils.

Carmel shoved his hands into his pockets and blew a loud, mocking whistle, ready to watch the slaughter.

Preston stopped two feet away from Ainsley. He leaned in, his face twisted in rage.

"Get the hell out of here right now, you pathetic stalker!" Preston hissed.

Katharina quickly dragged Kade over. She hid behind Kade's shoulder, using him as a shield while shooting Ainsley a look of pure venom.

"Ainsley," Katharina said, her voice dripping with fake, sugary pity. "If you are really that desperate for a meal, we can buy you a plate. But please don't embarrass us in a place like this."

The loud commotion caused the surrounding billionaires and politicians in the lobby to stop and stare.

Ainsley looked at the three of them.

The corner of her mouth slowly curled up into a smile of absolute, freezing disgust.

She tilted her chin up. Her red lips parted, ready to verbally slaughter every single one of them.