Only something this important could have pulled me from Melanie’s side tonight. When I had first seen her standing in the foyer, wearing the dress I’d chosen for her, it was all I could do not to tell Rachel to leave, so I could take Mel right there, up against the wall. But in that dress, I also wanted to show her off.

The past few weeks I’d been putting out fires and dealing with headaches left and right. This was the first night I’d been able to spend with Mel since the night in my office. That she was in the apartment had been good enough for me. She was there, safe under my roof. The temptation was so strong. I’d promised myself just a taste tonight. Just enough to take the edge off the need to have her.

Thomas, one of my fellow board members, pulled me aside. Rachel hadn’t been able to get much information about the coup being staged against me, which was unlike her. She was usually up for a challenge and delivered every time. Thomas was a family friend, and his allegiance was stronger than most.

Thomas leaned in and warned in a hushed tone, “I thought you should know. It’s Killian Thorne. He’s the one who’s convinced everyone to hold the elections.”

My blood ran cold at the confirmation of what I’d suspected from the beginning. Killian had had his sights set on me and my family for a long time. He’d fallen off the face of the earth after getting kicked out of school. Too proud to accept anyone’s help, he left and we lost touch. Old friendship or not, he wasn’t going to get away with this. It didn’t make any sense to me. Why was he doing this?

“When did he approach the board?”

“A few months ago. He made it known that there was a scandal brewing with you and it would be in the best interest of our foundation to disassociate ourselves from you as quickly as possible. He said no amount of money would be able to salvage the reputations of anyone associated with you,” Thomas said, whispering furtively.

“Did he say what information he intended to divulge?”

“No, not to me anyway, but whatever he shared with the rest was enough to get them to call for the election. He wants your seat,” Thomas said. A flash of red across the room caught my eye. Melanie opened the doors to the balcony, and the frosty breeze made its way across the room to me. She doesn’t have a coat. I needed to focus. Focus on the matter at hand.

“He’s not going to get it,” I said through gritted teeth. My blood pounded and my temples throbbed as I clenched and unclenched my fists. He thought he had the upper hand on me, but I’d be damned if I let his bullshit vendetta destroy everything I’d worked for and put my family in jeopardy.

“Perhaps it wouldn’t be a terrible thing if you weren’t on so many boards. I’m sure you’d like to relax, take some time with your daughter. You never took any time off after your wife died. I think maybe this could be a good thing,” Thomas said, attempting to reassure me.

“I’d much rather have a hand in all the good work being done out there. You know how much I enjoy being at the helm, being able to direct what’s going on with these foundations.” Thomas smiled and nodded.

I played my part perfectly. I was the perfectionist, controlling billionaire who didn’t want to see his money squandered. What he didn’t know, what no one knew was that my parents weren’t quite so sure I’d follow their do-gooder path in the event of their untimely demise. Every dollar I had was a result of the money I donated. I was required to donate a certain percentage to one of my charities. A charity vetted by the executor of my parent’s estate. Only then would I get any money from the trust in advance of my full inheritance. Every cent ran through this bullshit of hoops and hurdles. Apparently, they didn’t trust me. My parents would leave for months on end to be benefactors, heroes, even care givers to people all over the world, however their generosity and philanthropy ended the second they came back home, if and when they did. I was raised by a squadron of nannies. And I was a handful from the beginning. The nannies were as disposable as I was to my parents.

If I was kicked off the board, the money would dry up. I was afforded certain perks for my charity work, like my apartment, travel, hell even some of my clothes. Living the life of a billionaire, even a frugal one, came with certain expectations. Managing the expectations the world has of someone who has a trust fund as big as mine, as well as ensuring safety and security for Esme, meant my financial situation was carefully calculated. But Kill’s interference could completely ruin all the plans I’d made. On my thirty-fifth birthday, which was only a couple of months away, the complete estate would be transferred to me without the strings. I’d finally be in complete control of my own life. But, if I didn’t maintain those board positions, I got nothing.

“Thank you for warning me, Thomas. There’s nothing Killian could reveal about me to create a scandal. I hope the board elections will be held without unsubstantiated rumors influencing anyone.” My stomach dropped as I thought of the one secret I’d kept and would take to my grave. I lived my life in public, scrutinized and analyzed. I didn’t want that for Esme. But if this got out, she’d never be able to escape what would rain down on us both.

“I’ll be sure to tell them not to buy into whatever Killian is selling. I can’t even believe he showed his face here today, wrangled a last-minute invitation,” Thomas said, excusing myself. He was here? Tonight, was supposed to be a reprieve. A break from everything that went wrong in my life to focus on one of the things going right. Mel. I needed to get my hands on her.

Rubbing my fingers along the small of her back was a little game I played with her and myself. Each stroke, each caress a promise of what was to come later this evening. I wouldn’t let the news Thomas delivered ruin my night, ruin the plans I had for her. Every phone call, meeting and trip I’d had to take recently put me further and further away from her and I didn’t like it. Especially not after the taste I’d had of her already. But I could be patient.

I flung open the doors to the balcony and the scene unfolding in front of me made my blood boil. It took me a moment even to register who that was near Mel. Once I saw it was Kill, the man causing every nightmare going on in my life right now, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him. I stormed over to Melanie and Killian. He held her chin in his hand. His lips inches from hers. She wasn’t his to touch. She wasn’t even his to think about. She was no one’s but mine.

I jerked him back by the shoulder and his eyes went wide as I let loose on him. The satisfying crunch of my fist connecting with his jaw echoed around the balcony, filling the winter air with the sound of my rage. My breath came out in heavy pants as I grabbed Melanie by the arm and swung her behind me. Kill stumbled back, toppling over, wiping the blood off his lip.

“And there’s that Thayer control I’ve heard so much about. I knew you couldn’t have changed that much since school. Nice of you to join the party, Rhys. I was having such a lovely conversation with Mel,” he said, sitting up on the ground and spitting a mouthful of blood onto the granite. And then he did the one thing that made me want to wrap my hands around his throat. He smirked at me, his teeth a bloody mess. I wished I’d knocked a few out. I must be losing my touch. I stepped toward him and Melanie held me back. She grabbed my arm as I pulled it back, ready to deliver another set of blows.

“Rhys, don’t,” she said, holding onto my arm. She gestured with her chin toward the doors to the balcony. Other people from the gala stood at the doors, watching our display out here. Cage it. Push it down. Breathe. My normal mantra wasn’t working.

“I’ll be sure to let you know how those donations you’ve so generously made are spent once I have your seats,” Killian said, dusting himself off and standing to face me. I lunged for him again, but Melanie held tight to my arm.

I glared at her over my shoulder. What the hell was she out here talking to him about? I’d deal with him first and then we’d be having a long conversation, which may or may not end with me fucking her so hard that she never thought of speaking to another man again. I glanced down at her and saw what was wrapped around her.

“Are you wearing his fucking jacket?” I seethed. Her eyes widened and she quickly threw it to the ground like a poisoned snake, wrapping her arms around herself. “Don’t you come near her again. Do you hear me?” I roared at Killian. My control was gone. I grabbed her arm and stormed back into the gala. I didn’t care who wanted to talk to me, I didn’t have time for fake smiles and glad-handing. I called for Derek to bring the car around, as I hastily retrieved Mel's wrap and rushed her out the door.

The car pulled up in front of the museum. I guarded Mel’s head as I helped her into the car. I tried to calm myself the best I could. The mask was almost gone now. She’d peeled it back and cracked it wide open by speaking to Killian out on that balcony alone. And now that I’d shown my true colors, she’d be sure to run. With that thought, I wanted Derek to turn the car around, so I could deliver another round of punishment to Killian.

If he’d screwed up what simmered between Mel and me, I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from killing him. Nothing for me. Never anything for me. Everything was for everyone else. My money, my reputation, my work, even my daughter. Mel was meant to be the one thing just for me and now even that was in jeopardy. I was tired of waiting. Tired of keeping the reigns on tight. I had one goal. Exploring her body, spreading her out in front of me and finally being able to feast on her.