Four

Morana’s POV

Xavier mentioned the gala the same way he mentioned everything he didn’t want me involved in which was right before leaving the room. It seems like he wanted to take his LEGAL wife to go there.

“It’s a pharmaceutical fundraiser and too formal. You’d be bored.” He adjusted his cufflinks without looking up. “Stay in and rest this morning if you want.”

Across the table Iris was already dressed in deep green silk with her hair pinned perfectly. She didn’t look at me and it seems like these days she’s got something up her belt.

“Of course. You’re probably right.” I muttered my eyes back on him.

Xavier’s shoulders relaxed slightly but enough for me to actually see it. I need to know what is going on.

He kissed my forehead and they left together. Aiden stayed with his nanny upstairs and the house went quiet. I sat there for exactly three minutes before my plans got the best in me. I went upstairs to learn more about this gala.

I didn’t touch the Greene side of my wardrobe. I went back to the past, the careful ordinary life I’d constructed and maintained for five years. My fingers found the garment bag I hadn’t opened since the night I became Morana Greene.

The dress still fits perfectly.

I’d bought it for a Mortaine board dinner five years ago and never wore it because I met with the accident that led me to Xavier.

It is rhe kind of dress that didn’t ask for a room’s attention but took it. I stood in front of the mirror for a moment and smiled at myself. There she was! Morana Mortaine that has stacked her degrees and awards in a drawer and lock it five years ago.

I picked up my clutch and left.

The hotel was exactly what I expected, which was that particular kind of quiet that money buys. Two security personnel stood at the entrance with tablets and practiced smiles that didn’t reach their eyes.

“Name please.”

“Morana Mortaine.”

It sounded so strange coming out of my mouth and I almost feared Xavier or Iris would show up behind me and hear me say that. I haven’t used that name for five years that it starts not to feel like mine.

The smile on the security guard stayed but something shifted behind it as he scrolled. He doesn’t believe I am Morana Mortaine. It’s clear as day on his face.

“I’m sorry ma’am. I don’t see that name on the list.”

“Check again.”

“I have.” He said it gently like he’d done this before. “I’m afraid if you’re not registered—”

“I’m aware of how lists work. Check again.” I kept my voice even.

Felix said he was going to add my name to the list and would be here too. Except if for the first time he’s failed at his job, this shouldn’t be the issue. Mortaine is a name that makes people shake in their boots in America.

He exchanged a brief glance with his colleague then looked back at his tablet with the expression of someone who had made a decision.

“Ma’am I’m going to have to ask you to step aside.”

Step aside? I didn’t move immediately and behind me I heard the soft click of heels as two women approached the entrance, laughing at something. They stopped when they saw the situation. I felt their gaze sweep over me the way people assess a problem that doesn’t concern them.

One of them murmured something to the other. I caught the word embarrassing before their names were found immediately on the list and they walked inside without looking back.

I stood there thinking how five years ago this would have destroyed my image. But five years ago, this would never have happened because everybody knows me.

“That’s alright Jacob.”

The voice came from somewhere behind the security and it was gruff and completely unbothered. The kind of voice that didn’t need volume because every room it entered already belonged to it.

Both security personnel straightened immediately and I looked up. My eyes trailed from his limited edition wrist watch to his tall muscled physique and knew who it was. There was this air around him that screams it.

He was taller than I expected in a dark suit without tie. The kind of man who got dressed in thirty seconds and still made everyone else feel underdressed. His eyes found mine across the entrance and something in his expression shifted. He doesn’t look surprised, he recognized me.

“Sir she’s not on the—” Jacob started.

“I know who she is.” He said it without looking away from me. “Let her in.”

Marcus stepped aside immediately. Tristan Rothschild walked toward me and stopped at a distance that was close enough to be a mistake. His eyes moved once across my face then back up.

“You came alone.” It wasn’t a question.

“I usually do.” I said.

Something crossed his expression like amusement but not a smile.

“Morana Mortaine.” He said my name like he’d said it before in private setting.

“You already knew.” I said.

“I’ve known for years.” His voice was even. “I was wondering how long it would take you to find me.”

The noise of the gala continued around us like we weren’t standing in the middle of it having a conversation that was rewriting everything. I held his gaze and didn’t blink.

“Then you know why I’m here.”

“Five years off the grid and you walk into a pharmaceutical gala in a dress that costs more than most people’s quarterly salary.”

“I wasn’t off the grid. I was busy.” I answered looking him dead in the eyes.

“Married.” His eyes dropped briefly to my hand on the hideous ring Xavier put there. “To Xavier Lancaster.”

The way he said Xavier’s name was flat with something underneath that intrigued me fast.

“You’ve done your research.” I said.

“It’s what I do.” He tilted his head slightly. “The question is what you’re doing here tonight alone. Without him knowing.”

I held his gaze and didn’t answer immediately. Let him sit in the silence for a beat because men like Tristan Rothschild were used to rooms that rushed to fill the quiet for them. I didn’t rush to do his bidding.

“You’ve been watching Mortaine.” I finally said.

“Mortaine has been worth watching.”

“And Vance?”

“Your brother is ambitious.” He said carefully.

“He’s not my brother.” The words came out quieter than I intended. “And you know exactly what he’s been doing to my company.”

“We should talk somewhere private.” He gave a sharp nod that made me almost move but stopped.

“I don’t follow men into private rooms based on three minutes of conversation. You want to talk you can start here. Convince me you’re worth my time.” I tilted my head.

He stared at me for a long moment then something in his expression changed.

“Xavier Lancaster has been running illegal pharmaceutical trials using a blood compound that doesn’t belong to him. I’ve been building a case against him for eight months. I’m three weeks from having enough to take it to the board of health authority.” He paused his eyes sweeping over me. “And I’m missing one thing.”

“What?”

“The source.” His eyes stayed on mine. “The person whose blood he’s been using. Their testimony.”

“Come.” He said again but with less command and more something else entirely.

I looked at him for another moment then followed.