Page 75 of Devil’s Promise

Candy’s eyes bug out. “You’re talking.”

“A fact we don’t want anyone else to know,” I warn. I’ll get more information from Candy later. Right now…

It’s my turn to step out of the car.

A major element of this plan is to keep this meeting public. Even now, other guests are arriving.

But the other part. I’m keeping a buffer of powerful men between me and Donald. The sort of men that a future president would never dare to make his enemies.

Closing the car door behind me, Knox and Rock flank me, the Smiths and Mason Kincaid stepping up on either side of us.

Don approaches, his smile so—what was the word Promise used? Plastic—it looks like it will crack his face.

I don’t smile back. “Daddy Don,” I rumble, intentionally referencing the intimacy of our relationship.

“Not even Promise calls me Daddy.”

“I’d imagine not,” I answer, baring my teeth.

“You think you have the advantage because of yesterday’s paper?” Don asks, stopping a few feet away.

I look to Knox, who shrugs. We’re not exactly morning paper kind of guys. But Rush chuckles lightly. “Painted you Promise’s hero,” Rush answers. “The man who is going to heal her from her trauma.”

I nod to Rush before turning back to Don. “Donald Winthrop, Rushton Smith.” Now I’ve revealed my true advantage. It has the intended effect.

Don instantly relaxes, looking all kinds of friendly. I’m really understanding what Promise has been telling me. It’s all fake.

“I’ve been hoping to meet you, but we always seem to miss each other,” Don offers, holding out his hand.

Rush looks down at Don’s extended hand. He doesn’t shake it, his expression full of irritation. “I don’t do political events or social rallies. They’re tawdry,” Rush answers calmly, still not taking Don’s outstretched hand.

Don’s smile slips, his hand dropping. “But you’ve made an exception for my daughter’s wedding.”

“Weddings are a beautiful affair and the backbone of our social structure.”

“Yes,” Don answers. “I agree.”

“Provided the match is correct,” Rush adds, his gaze flicking to Vinnie.

Vincent steps up. Learning from Don’s mistake, he doesn’t raise his hand. “I’m also glad to meet the man who is heading the waterfront’s largest development project. We have a lot in common⁠—”

One of Rush’s eyebrows raise.

Vincent clears his throat, trying again. “I’ve got several crews that could be of use⁠—”

Rush doesn’t even flicker with emotion, his exterior cold as ice. “Contracts of that nature will be moving through Angel. Talk to him.”

I keep the shock off my face…barely. Because one, this is news to me. But two, this makes any move Don was planning against me nearly impossible.

And Don knows it too. I see his features harden, his lip curling the slightest bit.

Vincent shifts, tugging at his collar.

But Vinnie looks at his father, confusion marking his brow. “Wait.”

“Shut the fuck up, Vinnie,” Vincent growls at his son.

“But I thought⁠—”