Yes this was how thedisgustingly rich lived.
Well in their defense, Ryangave off the aura of being undeniably accomplished, self-assuredand wealthy, so people took that as him being very successful. Totop it off, he sounded incredibly articulate in the marketperformance and was actually able to answer their questions. Shewasn’t sure if his answers held any truth, but he sure as hecksounded right. No one knew who he really was except her father’smen. You never know, she might have fallen for that charm too ifshe’d met him at a gala like this.
“I’m going to get youanother glass of wine.”
She looked up at Ryan.“Why?”
“Because you are as stiffas a board.”
“Is it that noticeable?”She thought she was doing really well.
“Only to a select few.” Henodded toward her father who gave her a quick glance. It was quickbut it spoke volumes.
“Oh. I see.”
“White?”
She sighed and nodded. Shedidn’t like putting on an act for anyone and now that she knew whather father was, how many people just like him were at his party?She was expected to play the shining socialite, but it was hard todo that when the undercurrent of violence was present. She’dsuffered because of what he was. Her sister was twisted and hermother was dead.
“I’ll be back.” He turnedand walked toward the bar tended by a man in a whitetuxedo.
Kat watched him closely. Hewas incredibly handsome; tall, sexy and confident. The man lookedlike a tycoon. His grey eyes were vibrant in that suit and she’dseen that the women he’d walked by took notice too. It wasn’t justthem. There were six around them at least every five minutes whenshe was introducing them to her father’s guests. It didn’t matterthat she was on his arm or the daughter of the host. Ryan was thatirresistible. Even now while getting her a glass of wine he wasapproached by a sexy blonde who was obviously flirting with him.The signs were obvious; the fluttering of lashes, titillating laughand twisting a finger in her hair. Then there was the casual brushof her fingers across the back of his hand that was resting on thebar. Soon another woman, brunette this time joined the bleachedblond. Katya folded her arms and watched in quiet appreciation ashe smiled, nodded, retrieved her glass of wine, said something andthen turned and walked toward her.
“Another fan?” she askedaccepting the glass of wine.
“She holds no candle toyou,” he answered honestly.
She almost laughed at thefact he didn’t even ask her who or what she was referring to. Thenher smile faltered. “What exactly is it then?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve seen women around youRyan. I’ve also seen the disappointment on their faces when youdon’t take the cues. I know you see them.”
“Of course Ido.”
“You have a lot ofexperience or you wouldn’t be so immune.”
“Are we discussing thishere?”
He looked irritated. Shepaused. He was right. She was being ridiculous. She knew she was,and this conversation should be reserved for the bedroom, but shefelt so insecure at the moment. “It’s just, I have to know.What is it aboutme?”
He stepped close, toe totoe, and stared down at her. His hands rested on her waist.“Kat,because it’s important to you, and on the risk of being overheard,I’ll answer. There are plenty things about you that I find utterlyirresistible. Right now, if I could touch you more in public, Iwould—heads up. Your father.” He nodded past her.
Augh, such badtiming. She took a large gulp of her glassand turned to face him. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that hehad another bleach blonde on his arm. Tight clothes, exquisitefigure and beautiful. His typical woman. Again though, the woman’seyes went to Ryan and she licked her lips as theyapproached.
Kat felt bile rise in herthroat as flashes of Porsha’s lifeless corpse resurfaced in hermind. Hopefully this poor woman wouldn’t have the same fate. Shecouldn’t understand her sister’s anger toward her father’sgirlfriends. It wasn’t their fault he was a pig. As twisted as hersister was, she wouldn’t kill her, even though she had no problemletting her men torture her. She had it figured out now. Anna wastargeting her father’s weaknesses.
Peter introduced his newgirlfriend to his daughter. “This is Kitty VanDoonen, her father isa United States senator. Kitty, this is my daughter Kat, and herescort, Ryan.”
Kitty giggled. “You know,together we’re Kitty-Kat.”
You have got to be kiddingme. Her mouth fell open and Ryan pinchedher bum making her snap it shut. She might have even jumped alittle but no one noticed. She managed to paste a fake smile acrossher face and bite back a sharp retort. The last time she releasedher wrath she couldn’t apologize for it. She vowed not make thatmistake again.
Still, how come her fatheralways managed to find the most brainless pretty women on theplanet? Again the woman was barely a few years older than her. Whycouldn’t her father do anything normal? “Nice to meet you,” shesaid through tight lips.
“Well, everything turnedout just fine, didn’t it Katya?” He spread his free arm outindicating the party.
“Yes, Eveline is amazing asusual,” she answered casually trying her best to keep her anger incheck.
“Here hold my glass.” Heturned and handed his drink to his date. “I have to make anannouncement.
To Kat’s surprise he tookher hand and led her toward the temporary stage where the orchestrawas playing and led her up the steps. She cast a wary glance overher shoulder at Ryan who looked just as confused as shewas.
Peter raised his hand andstopped the music. One of his men came forward and gave him amicrophone. He tapped it twice before covering it with his hand.“Stay close Katya. It’s important,” he said to her while smiling atthe crowd.
What on earth was thisabout? Again she pulled a fake smileacross her lips. She had to stay strong and get through thenight.
“Everyone! Can I have yourattention.”
People started to maketheir way over to the stage. Katya figured there were almost fivehundred people there by the looks of the crowd from
