Chapter 5

Two days later, someone knocked on Olivia's bedroom door.

It wasn't Henry. One of his men came in, carrying a velvet gift box.

"Ms. Meyer's birthday party is tonight." He held out the box. "Mr. West picked out some jewelry for you. He'd like you to come."

Olivia glanced at the box without reaching for it. "Alright."

The man set it on the table and left. The guards outside her door stayed where they were.

Olivia didn't open the box. Whatever was inside would be expensive. Whenever Henry upset her, an extravagant piece of jewelry usually arrived a few days later.

She chose a dress she already owned, a sleek black gown with a thigh-high slit. The simple cut needed nothing else.

The party was at an exclusive private club.

Men in black suits lined both sides of the entrance. As Olivia approached, they straightened and greeted her.

"Good evening, Mrs. West."

She nodded and walked inside, her face composed.

A quick glance around the ballroom told her where everyone's attention was. Henry stood in the middle of the room with his arm around Grace.

Men who fought beside him for years gathered around them, smiling and offering compliments.

"You're a lucky man, Henry. She's gorgeous."

"Don't you two look good together!"

Grace ducked her head at the attention and leaned into Henry.

He drew her closer by the waist and bent to whisper in her ear. She giggled and nestled against him.

Then she spotted Olivia.

Her smile disappeared. She pressed her face into Henry's chest and began to tremble.

Henry looked down at her, then followed her gaze across the room. He rubbed her back, his eyes settling on Olivia in unmistakable warning.

"It's alright. I'm here. She won't touch you."

Olivia looked away from them and slowly surveyed the ballroom.

The ballroom was full, and Henry's most trusted men were among the guests. More than half were men Olivia had trained herself and helped move up through the organization.

Their presence made the purpose of the party clear. This was more than a birthday celebration.

Henry was sending a message to Olivia and everyone loyal to her. Grace had his protection, and no one was to touch her, including his wife.

Olivia watched him fuss over the woman in his arms as his men glanced her way, each look carrying a different meaning.

A faint smile crossed her lips.

Once, she and Henry loved each other fiercely. Now, neither seemed to trust the other.

By the middle of the party, a crowd surrounded Grace, raising their glasses to wish her a happy birthday and tell her how beautiful she looked.

Henry gently took her drink and smiled at the guests. "Easy on the birthday girl. She can't drink much. I'll take this one."

He drained the glass, and the men around him laughed and cheered.

Across the room, Olivia's stomach turned.

She politely brushed off several guests who stopped to chat or offered her a drink, then slipped out into the garden beside the ballroom.

With a practiced flick of her lighter, she lit a cigarette. The tip glowed as she drew on it.

She was exhaling when she sensed someone behind her.

Olivia spun around, her hand going straight to the weapon at her waist.

Grace stood there.

Olivia let out a soft, derisive laugh. "Henry let you come out here alone? Isn't he afraid I'll kill you?"

Grace smiled. "Oh, Olivia. Henry has men all over this place. Do you really think you could hurt me with all of them watching?"

Without letting her expression change, Olivia glanced around.

At least five men were watching the garden. Some stood in the shadows or along the covered walkway. Others watched from windows farther away.

Olivia turned back to Grace. She had no patience for a mistress who mistook a few bodyguards for a guarantee of safety.

"What do you want? Did you come out here to brag about your security?"

Grace bit her lip and lowered her voice. "I came to tell you that I come first now. Henry promised Tom he'd look after me for the rest of my life. You should let him go. You're only making this harder for him."

Olivia almost laughed. "Let him go? You've got this backward, Grace."

She stepped closer. Grace caught her breath and instinctively backed away.

"I've never had to fight to keep Henry. I decide whether I want him, and I decide when I'm done."

Olivia expected her to lose her nerve and retreat, just as she did before. Instead, Grace lunged, reaching for the knife at Olivia's waist.

The instant her fingers brushed the sheath, Olivia grabbed the handle and pulled the knife free as she stepped back.

Grace followed her. Before Olivia could pull away, she clamped both hands around Olivia's wrist and jerked the blade toward her own body.