We walk into the room.
The crowd doesn't part for us this time. They turn to look, their eyes tracking the gold dress, the vintage ring, and the absolute lack of hesitation in our posture.
Preston sees us.
His smile doesn't falter, but the grip on his champagne glass tightens. He leans over and whispers something to Simon. Simon looks up, his eyes locking onto Audrey.
The color drains from my brother’s face. He looks at the gold dress, and the realization hits him with the force of a physical blow. He wanted her to blend in. I put her in gold to ensure she is the only thing anyone looks at.
"Malcolm."
A voice cuts through the ambient noise of the ballroom.
I turn my head.
Richard Sterling, the chief financial officer of the Vance holding company, is standing a few feet away. He is a man who survives entirely by attaching himself to whoever holds the most power in the room. Tonight, he is clearly unsure who that is.
"Richard," I say smoothly.
"We weren't entirely sure you would attend," Richard says, his eyes darting nervously to Audrey. "Given the... tensions reported in the press."
"The press reports what it is paid to report," I reply. "Audrey and I wouldn't miss a family celebration."
Richard swallows hard. "Preston has requested a brief meeting with the board members in the library before the toasts begin. He asked that you join us."
I look at the dais. Preston is no longer standing there. He has retreated to his sanctuary.
It is the same tactic he used at the dinner. He wants to separate us. He wants to pull me into a room full of men whose paycheckshe controls, isolate me, and force a confrontation while Audrey is left unprotected in the ballroom.
"I will join the meeting," I say.
Audrey’s hand tightens on my arm. She looks up at me, a flash of genuine alarm breaking through her calm facade.
"Malcolm," she whispers.
"It’s fine," I murmur, turning slightly so my body blocks her from Richard’s view. "Grant is standing by the east exit. He will not let anyone approach you."
"I don't care about the guests. I care about what Preston is going to do to you in that room."
"He is going to try to fire me," I say, the truth slipping out before I can stop it.
Audrey freezes. "What?"
"I’ll be back in ten minutes." I lean down, pressing a hard, fast kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Stay in the light, Audrey. Do not let Simon corner you."
I don't wait for her to argue. I step away from her, the loss of her body heat leaving a cold patch against my side.
I follow Richard out of the ballroom and down the long, silent corridor leading to the library.
The heavy oak doors are closed. Two of the plainclothes contractors Grant warned me about are standing on either side of the entrance. They don't move to stop me. They just open the doors.
I walk into the library.
The room is lined with books Preston has never read. A massive mahogany table sits in the center of the room.
Preston is sitting at the head of the table. Five members of the executive board are seated around him.
Simon is standing in the corner of the room, near the fireplace. He looks terrified.
