Miss White and the Seventh Heir

“I thought that was you.” Sam strode up to him all smiles, just as Trey remembered him.

“It’s good to see you.”

They started with a handshake that ended up in a hug and a clap on the back.

Trey pulled back. His gaze quickly scanned the crowd, searching for Sage, but she was nowhere to be found. He really needed to straighten things out with her.

“So what has you here?” Sam asked.

“Work.”

Sam glanced at his press badge. “You decided to work for your father?”

It had been no secret in school that no love was lost between him and his father. When family days rolled around, he was the only one who had no family show up. His father was too involved with his precious magazine and his mother never felt up to traveling. As far back as he could remember, his mother never felt well.

“Something like that.” Anxious to turn the conversation away from himself, Trey said, “How about you?”

“I’m producing films.”

Trey thought back in time. “You always did have a flair for acting.”

“Yeah. But it appears that I’m better behind the scenes.”

Trey thought of how he’d turned into an actor with Sage. It had all seemed innocent enough in the beginning. But now that he’d gotten to know her—to kiss her—it all felt wrong.

When he confessed that he was out to destroy the magazine she’d been working so hard to rebuild, she would hate him. But was he at a point where he could just let go of the revenge that he’d been plotting against his father since he was in boarding school?

CHAPTER TEN

THE DEEPEST, DARKEST night had settled upon Cannes.

Elsa stood on the balcony of her deluxe suite enjoying the inky blackness. She lifted her second glass of cognac to her lips and took a healthy sip. The heady liquid hit the back of her throat and burned as it went down. She smiled.

So far her time in Cannes had been utterly boring—well, there was that run-in with Sage. That had been slightly amusing. It would have been more fun if the girl had grown a backbone.

Elsa recalled how Sage had always thought the world was made of rainbows and butterflies. Elsa expelled a frustrated sigh. Whoever thought a kind word or smile could open doors? Only Sage. That foolish, foolish girl.

Knock. Knock.

She moved to the door. Her long, silk robe fluttered around her legs as she crossed the room. Elsa yanked the door open to find Mr. Hunter standing there in a dark suit. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, giving her a glimpse of his chest. Not bad. Not bad at all. His hair had been cut and styled. He really was rather handsome.

Why hadn’t she noticed this before? Perhaps the alcohol was skewing her perception or maybe she’d never been so bored and anxious for something to amuse her. Yes, Mr. Hunter just might serve a dual purpose this evening.

But first, they had to get business out of the way.

“What have you learned about my stepdaughter? Has she heeded my warning? Is she leaving?”

“No. She’s still here. And I have learned something very interesting.”

The way he said the words sparked Elsa’s interest. “Is it something I can use against her?”

“I think it is.”

Elsa smiled. This man was getting more attractive by the moment. “Come here and sit with me on the couch.” She sat down and patted a spot next to her. Once he was seated, she leaned in close to him and inhaled his spicy aftershave. Mmm... He smelled divine. Tonight was definitely looking up. She traced a manicured nail over the slight stubble on his cheek, down his neck and then played with the few hairs on his chest—his very firm chest. “What delicious information have you uncover

ed?”

Hunter cleared his throat. “Well, it appears her assistant isn’t actually her assistant after all. But I don’t think she knows it. In fact, I’m certain she doesn’t.”