Her Vengeful Rebirth novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: The Third Dance

I set the pen down on the folder and folded my hands over it.

"I'll read it over the weekend," I said. "Mother always said never to sign on an empty stomach."

Cameron's smile stayed exactly where it was.

"Of course, love."

My father had already turned to talk to a director about parking.

I walked back to my office with my spine straight and my knees shaking.

The Markham Foundation gala was that Friday, and I made one request of my father that week.

"Daddy, may I invite Mr. Lund?" I asked at breakfast, with jam on my toast.

"As a peace offering. It would look so generous in the papers."

He lowered his newspaper.

A man who loves good press can be talked into almost anything.

"If he comes," my father said, "he sits at the back."

The ballroom of the Charles Hotel was all chandeliers and string quartet.

I wore a long blue dress and let my curls hang loose down my back, and Cameron looked at them twice and said nothing.

Daphne wore gold, with her scrubbed pink hands tucked behind her.

At nine o'clock the doors opened and Jericho Lund came in.

He wore a black tuxedo that had clearly been made for someone half his size.

It strained across his shoulders and showed every muscle in his arms, and every woman at the dessert table forgot her fork.

He found me across the room in about two seconds.

His face did not change, but something went through his eyes.

"Mr. Lund," my father said, striding over with a donor on each arm. "How good of you to come."

"Thank you for having me, Mr. Markham."

"I understand you've been very busy this year."

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