Chapter 3

3.

Footsteps approached. A tall figure strode in.

Impeccable Armani suit. The kind of cold arrogance that said stay back without a single word.

One glance told me this was Brecken Keller.

He didn't look at me. He went straight to Kinsley, brows pulling together.

"Gary said someone was giving you trouble. I was nearby. Flew in."

The arrogance on Kinsley's face melted into something softer. Almost wounded.

"It's nothing. Some country woman bumped into me."

She paused. Shot me a pointed look.

"Oh. She also said she's your fiancée."

"Fiancée?"

Confusion flickered across Brecken Keller's face. He turned toward me.

His eyes moved like a cold, precise scanner. Up. Down. Disgust undisguised.

"You're Riley Wilson."

It wasn't a question. He looked away before I could answer, like he'd finished examining a disappointing exhibit.

"Fine. We've met. The terms are fulfilled. Tell your lawyers it's not a match. Find another way to handle the trust."

Kinsley's eyes went wide.

"Mr. Keller. She really is your fiancée?"

Brecken Keller gave a flat grunt. He clearly hated admitting it. He leaned close to Kinsley and lowered his voice.

"It's some godforsaken addendum my father signed. Should've been voided years ago."

"My wife needs to attend board meetings and galas with me. Not this―"

He glanced at me with pointed meaning.

"―smelling like training gear. Probably can't even get into a decent restaurant."

He wasn't done.

"Clawing at the Keller name with some decades-old document. Pathetic."

I watched him. Birds of a feather. A boss and his secretary.

I found myself curious. What would this man's face look like when he realized who he'd just dismissed?

"Mr. Keller. Did no one brief you on my background before you got here?"

His eyes went colder.

"I don't care about your background. Compared to the Kellers, everyone's small-time."

"Listen closely. I have no interest in you. Go home. Deal with the addendum. Don't cling."

I raised an eyebrow. Mentally, I ran a quick comparison of Wilson Industries' market cap versus Keller Group's. Who was richer than who―hard to say.

Kinsley saw my faint smile and assumed I was swooning over Brecken Keller. She jumped in.

"You heard Mr. Keller. Get lost."

She turned to Gary, barking orders again.

"Gary. Remove her from the priority list. She's banned from this airline's priority lanes permanently."

Gary nodded frantically.

"Yes, yes. Ms. Kinsley. I'll handle it right away."

Kinsley was basking in the obedience. She'd already forgotten her twisted wrist. The smugness was back.

"You see that? That's Keller power."

"But since you look so pathetic, I'll be generous. Pay the repair fee. Then we're done. Otherwise―try me."

I watched her savor her petty victory. I wasn't angry. I was entertained.

I pulled out my phone. Slowly. Right in front of them.

My voice was light. Almost cheerful.

"Senator Carter. Something to report. Someone's trying to revoke my priority access. How should I handle this?"