Page 52

“That’s a lie.” Jace appears out of thin air, sipping on a glass of scotch.

“You created a member’s only hotel,” Rafe challenges.

“No. I created a member’s only floor as part of my very public hotel. Everyone can still stay at the Kelton, but the elite and those dedicated to our brand will be rewarded for their loyalty.” He tilts his head. “You’re just mad you didn’t think of it first.”

“You haven’t even officially launched it yet. You have no proof of concept.”

“The twelve thousand members who have already paid the premium would argue otherwise.”

“Twelve K? Good to know.”

Rafe smirks, and Jace frowns, realizing he just let loose a valuable piece of information. Rafe might not play well with others, but he sure knows how to play them.

“Cullen, I’m glad you could make it.” Jace switches his attention and claps me on the shoulder. “Did you have a good date last night?”

“I did.”

I’m still suspicious of him. I haven’t been able to figure out whether he paid for our meal just because that’s the sort of person he is or if he wants something. Jace is a strategic businessman, but outside the boardroom, he is beloved by the public.

“I saw that bird of yours around here somewhere.”

“What?”

“Your girlfriend or whatever she is. Verity.”

“Verity’s here?”

“Yes.” Jace looks at me like I’ve grown three heads. “You good, mate?”

That doesn’t make any sense. She is supposed to be at a branding event. Why would she be here?

“Where did you see her?”

Jace floats his hand around the room. “Somewhere.”

“Really helpful.”

“There’s over five hundred people here. I can’t keep track of every Tom, Dick, and Harry. I think I saw her by the billiard room,” he smirks before adding on, “maybe.”

I down the rest of my champagne and hand the empty flute to Rafe before going in search of Verity. He will be pissed at me later for not acting as his buffer, but I can handle that.

Trying to locate my girlfriend in this sea of people is another issue. The billiard room is a bust, and I try the other two rooms before resigning myself to going back to the main area.

Maybe Jace was fucking with me, or maybe he got the wrong girl.

A flash of blue and blonde appears in the corner of my eye, and my hand reaches out before I can stop it. The second my fingers wrap around the woman’s forearm, I know it’s wrong.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Cullen Ross.” Bridget Vaughn, the city’s most notorious socialite, grins back at me.

“Bridget.”

“Chloe said you were moving back.” She gives my pec a playful tap. “The city’s missed you.”

I give her a noncommittal hum as I continue to scan the room for my girl. Some people might consider it rude, but I’ve known Bridget for almost my entire life; she is practically a second sister.

She smooths down my shirt collar. “I’m surprised you’re here, though.”

“I came with Rafe.”