Page 79 of Claimed By the Ruthless King

The screeching returns to my ears. I hop off the subway and look forward to spending the rest of the afternoon on Fifth Avenue, browsing the racks.

I head into Aritzia, picking out the most gorgeous cable-knit sweater, since fall is only a few weeks away.

Seeing more incredible items, I pullout my phone to give Sapphire a call.

“Hey, those pants you like are on sale.”

“The Agency Pant in Mocha Brown?”

“Yeah, you want me to get you a pair?”

“Hold tight,” says Sapphire. “I’m on my way. Fifth Avenue right?”

“Yeah,” I say down the phone. “I’ll grab them and set up some changing rooms for us. I’m hitting gold today.”

“Let me guess—you finally found your new favorite cable knit sweater in time for fall?”

“Yes,” I gasp down the receiving end of the phone. “And only in the most amazing color.”

“Green like your boss’s eyes?”

“Yes, although this shade of green is lighter, more of a fern than a deep emerald…”

“Dreamy,” laughs Sapphire. “I’m on my way now.”

“We’ll do coffee afterward at Vegepatch,” I say, balancing clothes, my purse and phone in one hand. “We have a lot to discuss.”

“About Salvatore?”

“About fucking everything, including the fundraiser I attended.”

“That looked like a cash cow if I’ve ever seen one.”

“You bet,” I say, ending the call. “See you soon.”

I end the call, turn around, and stumble back into the rail.

“Watch your step,” says one of the workers in passing, flashing me a smile. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” I gasp…

I couldn’t be further away from fine.

Since when does David Hale shop in Aritzia? And why is he looking at me like I have shit all over my face?

I compose myself, walking over to him, shaking his hand. That feels like the normal thing to do… I think.

“Mr. Hale,” I begin, fighting to keep my voice level. “Here to shop the summer sale?”

“Who were you speaking to on the phone?”

“What?”

“Just then—I heard every word. You have a lot to discuss?” David folds his arms across his chest, smiling at people in passing as they recognize him. “Care to explain.”

“I was talking to my friend about the sale, sir.”

“Lying doesn’t get us very far in life, Miss Bennett,” says David. He uncrosses his arms, watching me curiously. “You and Salvatore have crossed quite a few lines. Tell me, Miss Bennett, are you sleeping with him?”