“As many of you know,” Derek continues, “Hunter and I have been associates for years. Tonight, we’re thrilled to announce that the association is becoming much more permanent.”
I study Aurora’s face. The slight widening of her eyes. The almost imperceptible tightening of her jaw. My mind categorizes and files away each expression for later analysis.
She will be mine.
The room erupts in applause as Derek concludes his announcement. I offer a practiced smile, shake hands, and accept congratulations. All while part of my brain calculates how to extricate myself from this arrangement without damaging the business interests at stake.
Interesting how these pieces have arranged themselves on the board. Finding out Aurora is not the woman I’m engaged to marry changes everything. I’ll adjust the game.
Olivia squeezes my hand, beaming up at me. “Isn’t this wonderful?”
“Perfect,” I reply, mentally relegating her to the category of “obstacles to be removed.” Not physically because I’m not an animal, and I sense Aurora would never forgive me. But obstacles have solutions. People have pressure points.Everything and everyone can be controlled with the right leverage.
And I’ve never encountered a problem I couldn’t solve.
4
AURORA
The sleek black town car glides through downtown traffic, carrying Olivia and me toward Elixir, the newest upscale cocktail lounge everyone’s been raving about. The city lights blur outside the window as I stare at them, trying to process everything that happened at dinner. Hunter Reed. The way his eyes locked with mine. The announcement.
My stomach twists again. I turn to Olivia, who’s texting furiously, probably updating Chloe and Daisy about our ETA.
“So,” I say, keeping my voice casual. “When exactly were you planning to tell me you are getting engaged to Hunter Reed?”
Olivia looks up from her phone, guilt flashing across her face. “I wanted to tell you, Aurora. I really did.”
“But you didn’t.” The hurt in my voice surprises even me. “How long have you known?”
She sighs, tucking a strand of perfectly highlighted hair behind her ear. “About one week. Hunter approached him two weeks ago, apparently. Some kind of merger or partnership thing.” She rolls her eyes. “You know how Dad is with his business arrangements.”
Two weeks ago. When we first met.
“A week?” My voice rises. “And you didn’t think to mention it to me? Your sister?”
“Dad made me promise not to tell anyone. He wanted to make the announcement himself.” Olivia reaches for my hand. “He said it was important for the business that nothing leaked before everything was finalized.”
“Anyone?” I pull my hand away. “Even me? Since when does Dad keep me out of family decisions?”
Olivia winces. “I know. I felt terrible keeping it from you. But Dad was super serious about it. He said Hunter insisted on complete confidentiality until the announcement.”
The mention of his name sends an unwelcome shiver through me. I turn back to the window, watching raindrops race down the glass.
“It’s just...” I hesitate. “Dad always includes me in everything. Even the business stuff that doesn’t directly involve me.”
“I know,” Olivia says softly. “I think it’s because you’ve been dealing with grief over your mom and just returning to New York. He didn’t want to burden you with more.”
Her words sting because they make sense. My stepdad has been overly careful with me since my mom died, treating me like I might break.
The car pulls up to the curb outside Elixir, where a line of well-dressed people waits under the glow of blue neon.
“They’re already inside,” Olivia says, checking her phone. “Chloe has got us a table.”
We push through the crowded entrance, and I spot Chloe’s vibrant blue hair immediately. She’s waving frantically from a corner booth, Daisy sitting quietly beside her.
“Finally!” Chloe jumps up, pulling us both into a hug that smells like expensive perfume and top-shelf vodka. “I thought you’d never get here!”
We slide into the booth, and a server immediately appears with drinks. A pink cocktail for Olivia and a whiskey neat for me. Chloe must have already ordered for us.
