He really did not want to be there, but like almost everything else in Cassius Williams’ life, it was a chore that needed to be done.

I loathe this country, he thought, glancing around the restaurant again. His mood, though, had lifted considerably after watching the stunning blonde with the long, elegant legs and the alluring aqua eyes, wearing a gorgeous scarlet dress, enter the restaurant. Sitting alone in his booth, his view of her was obstructed by an indoor palm and an elevated level of tables, but that didn’t stop Cassius from trying to catch another glimpse of her.

The one thing I will say about Californian women, he thought wryly, is that when they dress up, they do it right.

Cassius had been in San Francisco for four days, tying up some last minute real estate deals before he headed to New York and then home to Australia. It had been typically uneventful, but Cassius was not looking forward to New York any more than he had been looking forward to the west coast. At least he knew that, in a few days, he would be on his island, removed from everyone else the way God had intended him to be.

He had considered dropping in on Anders while he was on the East Coast, but he decided to play it by ear. He would much rather be done with this abysmal country. He had no idea how his brother Anders lived in what Cassius thought was the armpit of the earth, no matter how Anders justified it with the monstrosity he called his condo.

But that was none of Cassius’ business. Long ago, he had learned not to interfere with the comings and goings of his brothers, and they had learned the same of him. It was much easier that way.

Over the centuries, they had drifted further away from Misty Woods, leaving old King Rui to his own devices. The brothers came and went at their father’s request, but they all kept their distance from their demanding patriarch, knowing that Misty Woods came with a dark curse. It was not as if running away separated any one of them from the woes that Opal had ingrained in them and in their kingdom hundreds of years ago. Yet over time, the princes has learned to bury the darkness that followed them in their own way.

Even if it did resurface at the worst of times.

“Can I get you something else, sir?”

Cassius’ attention shifted to the server, who eyed him with interest, an unmistakable twinkle in his dark eyes. Cassius knew the look well: it was an open invitation, implied in the words, Can I get you something else, sir? He got it from air hostesses, servers, and massage therapists all the time. Anyone who found themselves in his authoritative presence wanted something from him, offering themselves in return, and Cassius took immense pride in figuring out what it was.

Sometimes he was happy to reciprocate, but usually he left well enough alone.

Even so, the buff male server, who had introduced himself as Charlie, was not Cassius’ type. His type was sitting just out of view, tantalizing him with her presence.

He had been captured by more than just her blazing beauty, though—Cassius felt as if he had met her before, and he wondered if perhaps he and the blonde knew each other. It was entirely possible; after all, he had met thousands upon thousands of people in business and in his long, unending lifetime.

Yet Cassius was sure he would have remembered this woman.

“I will take a brandy and the bill,” he answered, and Charlie nodded, remaining a moment longer than necessary to gaze at him.

It was unsurprising for Cassius to evoke such a reaction. He was attractive by anyone’s standards, and even if one did not know who he was, he was bound to catch the eye of the most casual of passerby. His hair was thick and dark, a curly, burnt honey kept stylishly cut, though a stray curl always found its way to the center of his forehead. He was reminiscent of a linebacker, with broad shoulders, a wide chest, but a narrow waist. From behind, however, his derriere rocked any pair of ridiculously priced pants in his closet.

The waiter finally moved away, and Cassius’ hazel eyes were free to roam back to where he had seen the luscious blonde disappear. Before he could extend his neck muscles further, he was distracted by a furious redhead storming toward the center of the restaurant.

“You have some goddamn nerve!” the woman spat at a man seated diagonally across from Cassius. The man’s date looked up, her mouth falling open.

Uh-oh. He got caught by his wife, was Cassius’ initial thought, but as he continued to watch, he could see something else entirely was happening.

“What are you doing here, Ryan?” the redhead screamed, and Cassius realized that she belonged to the same table as the blonde he had seen.

“Get lost, Audrey,” the man growled. “I can eat wherever the hell I want.”

“Come on, Ryan,” his date pleaded, and Cassius heard the worry in her tone. “Let’s go.”

“No!” Ryan snapped. “We have no reason to leave. If they don’t like it, they can leave. We were here first!”

“You better listen to her,” Audrey slurred. Even if her tone hadn’t given it away, Cassius could almost smell the alcohol on her breath from his booth. “Or she’s going to get her ass kicked harder this time ‘round!”

“Are you threatening her?” Ryan roared, leaping to his feet, his eyes blazing with anger. “I should arrest you right now!”

“I’d love to see you try, you piece of shit!” Audrey yelled back, advancing toward him. “Just give me a reason to smash your arrogant face!”

The hostess hurried over to the table, followed by a manager, and that was when Cassius saw the blonde woman approach the table, trying to gently grab her friend.

“What seems to be the problem here?” the hostess asked.

“This asshole is the problem!” Audrey screamed. “You let anyone in this shithole?”

“Audrey!” the blonde snapped. “Come on, let’s just go back—!”

“No, Brooklyn!” Audrey snarled. “Just because you won’t stand up to this dickhead doesn’t mean I won’t!”

Cassius’ eyes were focused on the beauty in the scarlet dress as she tried to decompress the situation. Other girls joined the table in a wave of nervousness.

“Oh, my God!” Audrey screeched suddenly, reaching down to snatch up the hand of Ryan’s date. “Is that Brooklyn’s engagement ring?”

“Audrey!” another blonde woman snapped. “You’re making a fool out of us all. Let’s go!”

But Audrey was incensed, and she raised her hand to slap out at someone, although Cassius was not entirely sure who in her wasted state.

Brooklyn caught her wrist.

“Stop this!” she hissed. “Let’s go!” She yanked her friend’s arm and dragged her away from the table, the others casting Ryan scathing looks before following her.

“I’m coming back for you!” Audrey yelled at the man’s date, and Cassius found himself leaning forward with interest. “You too, you cheating dick!”

Brooklyn turned to tighten her grip on her irate friend, and as she did, her eyes caught Cassius’. He watched as her cheeks turned purple in shame before she pulled Audrey out of sight and toward the entrance. The harem of women followed them.

Before Cassius could realize it, he was on his feet, going after them.

“Mr. Williams!” Charlie called after him, but he held up a hand to indicate he would return without turning around.

The group had congregated near the front doors, a mass of angry voices. Cassius remained away from them, close enough to them to still be within earshot, but separated from the group enough to look like he was expecting someone.

“—believe you! How drunk are you?” the blonde without a name raged at Audrey. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Me?” Audrey cried. “She is wearing Brooklyn’s engagement ring on her finger! How can you sit back and watch that?”

“So much for a night out to forget about that asshole,” a petite girl muttered, but no one heard her. Another girl yelled out to Brooklyn, who was walking away from the scene as fast as her heels would take her.

“Where are you going?” one of her friends demanded. “You can’t leave! The limo will be back in—”

“Are you kidding me?” Brooklyn screamed, spinning to glare at the group. “You expect me to what? Go out and party? Go back in there and have dinner?”

“Yes!” the group yelled back collectively.

“Brooklyn,” implored a brunette. “You can’t let him get the best of you. You’ve already given up too much of yourself to him.”

“That’s easy for you to say, Maddy,” Brooklyn muttered, but Cassius could see that her friends were getting through to her.

“Don’t let him win again,” Maddy begged. “Please. We miss you.”

Brooklyn stared at the lot with wide, unhappy eyes. Despite the clear pain in her gaze, Cassius was struck at the luminous sea of color in it. Instantly, he realized what her irises reminded him of: his home.

Her eyes are exactly the same color as the Coral Sea, he thought.

“I’m not going back in there,” Brooklyn firmly stated. “I’ll go to Palazzo, but I’m not stepping foot back in that restaurant again.”

“Agreed,” one of her friends said quickly, stepping forward to take her arm. “We’ll find somewhere else to eat and then we’ll go to the club, okay?”

Brooklyn still seemed reluctant to go, but she allowed her posse to flock around her—like the bunch of hens they appeared to be—and embrace her comfortingly.

“I’ll deal with you later,” she told Audrey, but the redhead seemed unconcerned by the threat.

“After we have had our fun, you will have forgotten all about me,” Audrey replied flippantly, and Cassius almost laughed aloud.

Wow. Whomever that woman ends up with is in a world of trouble, he thought, chuckling to himself as the girls vanished into the parking lot. He wondered what it would be like to have a friend like that—someone who wasn’t afraid to confront those who had hurt her friend in the middle of a busy restaurant. He half-hoped he never had to find out while simultaneously being impressed by her tenacity.

“Mr. Williams, there you are! Is everything all right?”

The handsome server appeared at his side, his brow knit with concern. Cassius nodded.

“I just needed some air,” he replied. “I’m coming back to the table now.”

“If you are worried about those women,” Charlie continued, “I assure you, they will not be permitted back on the premises again.”

Pity that, Cassius thought. I would have liked to buy their dinner.

“I was not worried in the least,” he replied dryly.

“Very well, sir. Your brandy and bill are back at your booth.”

Cassius nodded and turned to follow the waiter back inside, his pulse faster than usual.

That had certainly been quite entertaining. It had been much more than a passing amusement to him, though. It had almost been arousing to watch the flock of women descend on the unsuspecting ex in defense of the sensational vixen he had been inexplicably drawn toward.

I hate the guy, and I don’t even know him, Cassius thought curiously as he reclaimed his seat.

Of course, if what the women had said was true, Ryan was to be blamed for the scandal. However, there were always two sides to every story. Cassius wondered why he had no interest in hearing the man’s side in this case. Perhaps Ryan’s story would make Cassius hate him all the more.

His eyes shifted toward the couple, who seemed to have regained their collectedness, but as they dropped their napkins onto the table and Ryan poured over the leather enveloped bill, Cassius could see they were ready to leave.

“Charlie!” he called, and the waiter appeared at his side in seconds.

“Yes, Mr. Williams?”

“Do you still carry the Opus One? Napa Valley 2012?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Send a bottle to the couple there. They have suffered quite an embarrassment this evening, wouldn’t you say?”

Charlie nodded, and as he turned to oblige the request, Cassius noticed the young man was swallowing the urge to remind him that it was a four-hundred-dollar gift. Cassius wasn’t concerned about the cost; money was no object.

Cassius watched with intrigued eyes as Charlie presented the bottle to the table, turning slightly to address their benefactor. The couple gaped at him slightly, a small smile forming on Ryan’s lips as he nodded, raising a freshly poured glass and gesturing for Cassius to join them. Reluctantly, the real estate mogul ambled to his feet and ventured toward them, a half-grin on his face.

“I don’t want to intrude,” Cassius told them. “I simply hoped this would take the sting out of your evening.”

“That is very kind of you,” Ryan said. “Mister…?”

“Williams,” Cassius responded, extending his hand to the younger man. “Cass Williams.”

Ryan almost choked on his own saliva.

“The Cassius Williams?” he gasped. “Forbes, Time, The New Yorker—”

Cassius raised a hand, laughing.

“I think you are over-selling my reputation,” he replied modestly. “I am just Cass to my friends.”

“Wow!” Ryan gushed. “I am so honored! Sit, please join us for a glass of wine, at least!” He gestured for Charlie to bring them another glass, and Cassius found another chair so that he could sit.

“One glass,” he agreed, smiling at the silent woman. “Good evening, miss.”

“Oh, where are my manners?” Ryan continued, like he was a lovestruck school boy. “I am Ryan Shilling, and this is my girlfriend—”

“Fiancée,” the woman interrupted coldly, speaking for the first time since Cassius had appeared. Ryan chuckled slightly.

“Of course,” he agreed. “This is my fiancée, Elena Roy.” Cassius smiled to himself—he couldn’t help thinking about the drink Rob Roy, though he decided not to mention it. Then again, Ryan’s last name was Shilling, and Cassius held himself back from saying he didn’t think Ryan was worth one.

“Pleasure to meet you both,” he told them as Charlie poured a glass for him.

“What brings you to San Francisco, Mr. Williams?” Ryan asked, leaning on his elbows to stare in awe at the billionaire seated before him. “Are you closing some billion-dollar deal?”

“Well,” Cassius said, picking up his glass. “I am—”

A loud crash from behind him shoved the table a little, startling Cassius, and the stemmed crystal lurched from his hand, drenching both Elena and Ryan in blood red liquid. He gaped in shock at the couple for a long moment before he found his voice.

“Oh, my dear!” Cass cried, noting the fury on Elena’s face. “Oh, I’m so sorry, please forgive me!”

“This is my favorite dress!” Elena screamed, her features distorted in a hideous mask of displeasure. “This night is turning out to be a shit-show!”

“It’s all right!” Ryan cried, jumping to his feet. He shot Elena a warning look, but she didn’t seem to notice it as she sprang to her feet. “No big deal at all,” Ryan said quickly, trying to smile through his embarrassment.

Elena stomped off, probably toward the lady’s room, with a female server chasing after her with a bottle of club soda in hand, leaving the men to stare after her.

“My sincerest apologies,” Cassius said, rising. “I see that my gesture of goodwill has backfired.”

“Not at all!” Ryan gushed. “No need to go! We can resume our drinks.”

The desperation in his voice was nauseating, but Cassius only smiled patiently.

“I don’t think your fiancée will have any of that,” he argued.

“At least leave me your card!” Ryan exclaimed, his voice rising an octave.

Cassius shook his head. “I’m afraid I leave for New York tomorrow. I am not sure when I’ll be back in America again. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, though!”

He sauntered back to his booth, dropped enough hundred-dollar bills onto the table to pay for his bill and leave a generous tip, and disappeared through the back exit, where his car waited in the alleyway.

That worked out better than I planned, he laughed to himself as he slid onto the backseat of the town car. When he had sent the bottle to the table, Cassius had fully intended to “accidentally” douse Ryan with the wine, but he had genuinely been startled by the abrupt clang of dishes before he’d had the chance to do it himself. He had gotten both Ryan and his fiancée for the price of one.

He had no idea if either of them deserved it, but the magnetic energy he had felt toward Brooklyn had been unmistakable. He felt like he had paid her a silent tribute in his petty action, like it had been his duty to do so.

Brooklyn might not ever find out about it, but it still gave him a perverse pleasure.

How long has it been since I’ve done anything so stupid and immature for a woman? Cassius asked himself. It didn’t really matter—he found he didn’t regret it in the least.

“Back to the Fairmount, Mr. Williams?” his driver asked as they shot out of the alleyway.

Cassius stared at the back of his head for a quiet moment before answering.

“No,” he replied. “Take me to a nightclub called Palazzo.”