Chapter 8: The Engagement Party

"Say nothing to Desmond," my grandfather said.

It was nine in the morning, and we were standing in his study with the garage tape still on my phone.

"He shot at us."

"Someone shot at you. I want proof the family can hold in its hands. Bring me his voice or his signature, not a driver's word."

"And meanwhile?"

"Meanwhile, trial four." Amos slid an ivory card across the desk.

"Preston Haverford is holding his engagement party on Friday.

"We have been invited, in the spirit of peace."

"You want me to go sit at a table with the man whose driver tried to kill my girlfriend."

"I want every family in the city to watch you walk in," Amos said. "Alone is weak. With her is strong."

Suzette looked at the card.

"I'll wear green," she said.

The Haverford house in Society Hill had a ballroom, a string quartet and two hundred people who all stopped talking when I came in.

Suzette's arm was through mine.

Her green dress had a low back and a high slit, and the brass key sat in the hollow of her throat.

Heads turned.

Women watched her, and men watched me, and everyone pretended not to.

Preston stood in the center of the room with a champagne flute, shaking hands.

He looked straight at me, and he smiled.

"Wetherill. I'm glad you could come."

"Your driver is in a garage in Kensington," I said pleasantly. "He sends his regards."

The smile didn't move.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Good. Then you won't mind if I dance with my girlfriend."

Keep reading free with an account. Start Super Godfather 2: My Ex Dumped the Wrong Man from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.