Ainsley's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
Her spine went ramrod straight, her body rigid as a cat cornered by a wolf. She stared straight into Hill's face.
Scattered phrases from her biological father's phone call replayed rapidly in her mind-yet not a single word had ever been mentioned about an engagement.
"I don't need a fiancé," Ainsley scoffed. "I can get back to my family just fine on my own."
Hill did not take offense at the slight.
Instead, a low, dark chuckle rumbled deep in his chest. The physical vibration carried across the narrow space between them.
He leaned back slowly against the leather seat, casually re-establishing physical distance while maintaining absolute, dominant control of the space around them.
"This engagement was agreed upon by your grandfather and my family," Hill stated, his tone flat and matter-of-fact. "It is absolutely binding."
Carmel turned the steering wheel in the front seat.
"It's true," Carmel chimed in. "He really is your fiancé."
Ainsley snapped her head around, jaw clenched tight, refusing to acknowledge the absurd engagement.
The Rolls-Royce glided smoothly into the very heart of Washington D.C.
The scenery outside shifted rapidly, from ordinary city blocks to imposing, heavily guarded federal buildings.
The black Rolls-Royce Wraith slowed to a quiet, steady stop at the end of the red carpet outside The Capital Club.
Four valets with immaculate white gloves rushed forward at once.
The head valet bowed deeply and pulled open the heavy rear car door.
Hill stepped out first, his long legs settling onto the pavement.
He turned, pressing his broad palm flat against the roof of the car to shield the door frame from the cold rain. The gesture was aggressively possessive.
Ainsley took a deep breath.
She stepped out of the car. The stiletto heels she'd fished from her bag clicked sharply against the pavement. The hem of her black silk dress wrapped around her legs in the chilly night wind.
Carmel tossed the heavy car keys to a valet, then circled around to Ainsley's right side.
The three of them walked side by side toward the gilded revolving doors.
Inside the vast, crystal-lit lobby, Preston Thomas's suit was soaked through with sweat.
He leaned over the marble front desk, arguing aggressively with the general manager.
Katharina stood a few feet away, clad in a custom pink Chanel dress. She clung tightly to Kade's arm, looking deeply annoyed by the delay.
Eleanor plopped down heavily on a nearby velvet sofa, complaining loudly that the club's reservation system showed no respect for new money.
Preston slammed his hand down on the marble counter.
"I'm Preston Thomas of the Thomas family! I demand you find us a private booth by the window immediately!"
The manager folded his hands perfectly behind his back. His smile was polite, yet hard as steel.
"My sincere apologies, sir. But every private booth is booked tonight by our top VIP members."
Katharina felt the stares of the other guests. Her face burned with embarrassment.
She stepped forward and tugged gently at Preston's sleeve. "Dad, please. The main dining room is fine."
At that exact moment, the massive revolving doors swung open.
A chill autumn wind swept into the warm lobby.
Katharina turned her head instinctively toward the entrance, eager to see which top VIP had just arrived.
Her gaze swept past the towering Roman columns.
And locked directly onto the girl in the black silk dress.
Katharina's pupils blew wide. Her jaw literally dropped.
The girl exuding an air of absolute, untouchable elegance was Ainsley. The same Ainsley they had thoroughly cast into the dirt barely thirty minutes prior.
Kade followed Katharina's gaze.
His entire body froze. His eyes locked onto Ainsley's bare shoulders and the flawless cut of her silk dress. A raw, undeniable glint of pure desire flashed in Kade's eyes.
Eleanor saw her too.
The old woman gasped so sharply she knocked over a crystal lemon water glass on the table. The cup shattered on the floor.
Preston spun around violently.
When he saw Ainsley standing there, he immediately assumed she'd tracked them down to beg for cash and publicly ruin their reputation.
She stood motionless, watching her former adoptive father approach her.
Hill positioned himself half a step behind Ainsley's left shoulder.
He narrowed his eyes. A terrifying, lethal darkness began to pool in his black pupils.
Carmel shoves his hands into his pockets and let out a loud, mocking whistle, ready to watch the carnage unfold.
Preston stopped two feet away from Ainsley.
"Did you regret it and come back begging for money?" Preston snapped.
Katharina quickly tugged Kade toward her. She hid behind his shoulder, using him as a shield, while shooting Ainsley a venomous glare.
"Ainsley," Katharina purred, her voice dripping with false, saccharine pity. "If you're that desperate for a meal and cash, we could buy you a plate. But please don't embarrass us at a place like this."
