The dining room was a cavern of shadows and candlelight.
Audie moved silently around the long table, ostensibly to ensure Basil's water glass was full. She wore a simple dark dress, not a uniform, fitting her role as a quiet, unassuming ward of the family. The stiff collar scratched her neck.
Basil sat at the head of the table. Corine sat to his right, watching his every move. He had changed into a velvet smoking jacket. It was loose, casual.
He reached for the salt cellar. The wide sleeve of his jacket slipped down.
There were three angry red lines raked across his forearm. Scratches.
Corine saw them instantly. She dropped her fork. It clattered against the china.
"Basil. Your arm."
Audie froze. She gripped the water pitcher. Those were her marks. From the safe room. When the panic had felt too real and her nails had dug into him.
Basil didn't look at his stepsister. He sprinkled salt on his steak. "Duchess. She was playing rough."
"That dog is dangerous," Corine said, her voice trembling. "She drew blood. We should have her put down."
Basil slammed his hand on the table. The silverware jumped.
"No one touches the dog," he snarled. His eyes flicked to Audie, standing in the shadows. "She's mine. She doesn't know her own strength. She just needs... training."
Audie felt the heat rise in her cheeks. He wasn't talking about the Doberman.
Corine took a sip of wine, composing herself. "Very well. But we need to discuss the Gala. The senator will be there. You need a date."
She slid a list across the table. "I've crossed off Sloane Sterling. Her father is under investigation by the SEC. We don't need that kind of heat."
Basil ignored the list. He cut into his meat, the knife screeching against the plate.
"Audie," Corine snapped. "Water for Mr. Dean."
Audie stepped forward. As she reached to pour, Basil stretched his leg out under the table.
He hooked his foot around her ankle.
Audie stumbled. The pitcher tipped. Ice water splashed onto the damask tablecloth.
"You clumsy girl!" Corine cried.
Audie dropped to her knees, grabbing a napkin to blot the spill. She made frantic, apologetic gestures, her eyes wide with feigned panic.
She was under the table now, hidden by the heavy cloth. She scrubbed at the water near Basil's lap.
Basil's hand dropped.
His fingers brushed the nape of her neck. His touch was cold. He traced the line of her spine, right where the tag of her dress scratched.
Audie went rigid. She stopped breathing.
"I'll go to the Gala," Basil said to his stepsister, his voice calm, conversational. His fingers tightened on Audie's neck, a possessive squeeze. "But I choose my own partner."
"Oh, Basil, that's wonderful!" Corine clapped her hands. "Who do you have in mind?"
Basil released Audie. She scrambled back out from under the table, her face flushed, her hair messy.
"I haven't decided," Basil said, looking at Audie. "Someone quiet."
Audie retreated to the kitchen. She leaned against the stainless steel counter, her legs shaking.
He was playing with her. And the terrifying part was, she didn't know the rules.
