“You can’t let Alex have all the fun,” Masterson chimed in. “You’ll need to find someone from a good bloodline. Someone with good connections.”
I shoved a hand into my hair. “Jesus Christ. The ink isn’t even dry on my paperwork yet. Let’s give him a chance to get over being the best man before we turn him into the groom.”
Dad laughed. “Nah, it’s best to strike when the iron is hot. The ball is rolling now. Why slow it down?”
“Bloodlines? Are we talking about women or horses?” Nate shot me a look that saidhelp or get me more bourbon.
I lifted my glass to my lips. “Relax. I’ll find someone for him. No problem.”
The older men laughed, but Nate leaned over and scowled at me. “I willneverforgive you for this.”
“Sure you will,” I said lightly. “I have excellent taste.”
I turned back to my dad and his friends, who were finally moving on to a different topic, and I chimed in on occasion with my opinion about whatever market predictions or impending deals they were talking about. After another thirty minutes or so of small talk and large egos though, I excused myself and headed outside with my drink, desperate for air that hadn’t been filtered through a Cuban cigar.
I was halfway through a breath of crisp, clean oxygen when heels clicked on the stone behind me. “Alex Westwood.”
My shoulders went rigid before I’d even turned. I didn’t recognize the voice, but it was female and syrupy sweet, laden with a poisonous edge that told me whoever she was, she hadn’t approached me just to chat.
Unease slithered down my spine like a snake. I finally made a slow turn and Mallory Foundry stepped into my line of sight like she owned it. I’d only seen her that one time at the gala, but I remembered her.
Once again, she had perfect hair, perfect posture, and a smile sharpened to a blade. She’d stepped around the group of women she must’ve come outside with, making a beeline directly for me.
“This is a surprise,” she said with an odd tone of familiarity in her voice. “I was hoping I would run into you at some point, though.”
“I’m sorry,” I replied flatly. “Have we met?”
She cocked her head at me like she thought I was being cute. “You know who I am, Alex. Don’t play dumb with me.”
“I’m not. I’ve simply never met you and I don’t want to. What are you doing here? This is a members-only establishment and I happen to know most of the members. You’re not one of them.”
She laughed, unfazed by the sting in my tone and my clipped words. “Oh, my husband is inside. He’s a very generous donor and he loves these old boys’ clubs.”
I took a slow sip of my drink, eyes cold on hers. “You need to stay away from my wife.”
Her smile didn’t falter. “Straight to business then, huh? I’ve heard that about you, that you’re a straight shooter. I like that.”
“I don’t care what you like,” I said. “You will not approach Jane again.”
Mallory studied me for a beat, the friendly veneer edging into something harder. “She always was a smart girl. I knew she’d marry well.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t talk to me like we’re friends. You’re not going to get anywhere with me.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Her parents underestimated her. Everyone did, but not you.”
Yeah, I’ve had enough.I stepped closer, deliberately crowding her space. “This is your final warning. You will not contact her. You will notrun intoher. You will not breathe in her direction or I will find out about it, and when I do, you won’t like my reaction.”
Mallory suddenly looked beyond pleased. “You’re very protective.”
“I’m also very serious.”
She held my gaze, then smiled slowly. “Are you aware of my husband’s line of business?”
My lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ve seen his taste in women. I have no interest in any business he would choose to be involved with.”
“He’s big in manufacturing overseas,” she said as if I hadn’t spoken at all. “We have diversified interests. He’s been looking at domestic expansion.”
My blood ran cold. It didn’t happen often. I prided myself on being unflappable, but this slid under my skin and stayed there.
