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Dev took this in stride. “Trigger’s an excellent conversationalist. Look, Sterling, I’m afraid I haven’t really kept up with who’s investing in what recently. I’m not the best person to help you make connections. It’s possible that another member of the board would know better. I think most of us are going to be in town for the Innovation Awards in a couple weeks since Sterling Chase’s projects have been nominated for several awards. You could maybe meet some of them then.”
Rowe blinked. “I could?”
“He could?” I said at the exact same time. What had happened toconfront him immediately?
Dev looped his arm over Trigger’s neck and gave me a small shrug, and I thought I understood his sudden about-face. My friend loved his horse more than most people. Hell, maybe more thananypeople. Clearly, Rowe had made an impression on Dev without intending to.
A sound outside announced that the match was about to begin, and Rowe squared his shoulders resolutely. “Well. Thank you anyway, Dev. I’ll take the Innovation Awards under advisement if I haven’t managed to find another investor in the meantime. I suppose I should go… spectate now.”
Now that Rowe’s nervousness had returned, he sounded as enthusiastic about joining the crowd as a man facing a firing squad.
Dev regarded Rowe for a long moment. “No one will be interested in talking about business while the match is going on. If you’d rather watch from a quieter spot, you and Bash can head up on the roof.” He pointed to the far end of the building. “There’s a ladder that leads to an access door.”
“Oh, I… yes.” Rowe turned his huge brown eyes on me. “Could we? It feels like it’s been a long day already.”
More time alone with Rowe? It was the unwisest possible choice. “Sure,” I found myself saying. “You’re the boss.”
“Oh, right.” Rowe grinned. “I guess I am.”
“I just need a quick word with Dev about… horses,” I said. “I’ll be up in a minute.”
Rowe gave Trigger a final loving pat and took off in the direction Dev had pointed before calling over his shoulder politely. “Thank you so much, Dev!”
Meanwhile, I stayed where I was, arms folded, staring at my friend. “Confront him,Bash. He’s a liar and a user,Bash. Don’t spend time alone with him,Bash. But also, Bash, take him up on the roof.”
“Wipe the stupid smile off your face,” Dev grumbled. “Look, I’m still almost positive this guy’s a duplicitous, scheming fraudster bent on destroying everything you’ve—we’ve—built…”
“But?”
Dev pushed past me to grab a currying comb. “But… he reminded me that maybe I should reserve judgment, that’s all. Sometimes people do things because they don’t think they have a choice.” He shrugged, his back to me. “Besides, Trigger likes him.”
“Oh, well, ifTriggerlikes him…” I rolled my eyes.
Dev shot me a look over his shoulder. “Go figure out what this guy’s story is, Sebastian. What’s his endgame? Why the fuck is he doing what he’s doing? And,” he warned, “for god’s sake, do it without listening to his project pitch. You’re already in way too deep with a guy you barely know. The only way you could make this clusterfuck worse is by getting into business with him, too.”
“I wouldn’t!”
“You would. If I know you—and I do—you’re already dying to know what his project is all about and whether it would be a good fit for Sterling Chase. Am I wrong?”
Damn it.I set my teeth. “Curiosity is not the same as commitment—”
Dev shook his head, clearly amused, and turned away again. “You wanted more time with the pint-sized liar, so go have your day in the sunshine. But I’m warning you, it’s not gonna last forever.”
SEVEN
ROWE
I freakinglovedpolo.
There were parts of the match that I hadn’t entirely followed—bumpsandhooksand how the penalties were determined since, in my opinion, the blue team were a bunch of animals and the red team had beenrobbed. But by the final chukker, I’d been so excited that I’d pushed to my feet on the slanted roof, cheering my red players as they galloped down the pitch toward the goalposts in the final moments. Only Bash’s quick reflexes had saved me from tumbling to my doom Humpty-Dumpty style.
“Oh my god!” I exclaimed as he pulled me down by my waistband and my ass hit the metal roof. “Somebody needs to revise the Top Ten Most Amazing Feats in Polo History video with new footage because that wasepic. Can you believe it?”
“Believe that you just attempted to jump up and down on a pitched roof while wearing those shoes? Fuck no.” Bash scowled, breathing hard, his hair glinting in the sunshine. “What were you thinking?”
“I… may have gotten a little caught up,” I admitted. “I do that sometimes.” I paused and considered for a moment and admitted, “Possiblyallthe time.”
“I didn’t know you were such a Kingmakers fan,” Bash said.
