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Trust.
That’s what did it for him, apparently.
And not even the trust he had for her, but the trust she had in him.
Why is that?he asked his wolf, but the animal didn’t have an answer.
Ryland could think of nothing else as he drove them toward the outskirts of town, all the way to Lucia’s estate. As he expected, Caroline gasped when he pulled the car through the gilded gold gates and down a long lane that ended at the foot of a stately home. The place was pretty spectacular, even to him, though he’d seen it multiple times.
It had been a palace once, but Lucia’s family knew better than to call their home a castle nowadays. The place was used as a home away from home for many traveling politicians and stars. Lucia’s doors were always open, and she liked nothing more than to be a lavish hostess.
“This isn’t a house.” Caroline stared at the structure. “This can’t be anyone’s house.”
“But it is.” He chuckled.
“And you think you can get us in?” Her skeptical tone made him chuckle. “You’re that much of an international sensation?” she teased.
“Lucia never misses the chance to talk to one of us Wolverton boys.”
“Why is that? Don’t you think that, as yourpartner, I should know?”
He winked at her. “Nice try. I’m not telling you.”
This wasn’t a gathering at someone’s house. It was a ball. Just the usual kind of thing Lucia liked to host for a few hundred of her closest friends. There was always a guest to impress or a match to be made, or information to trade.
“Come on,” Ryland offered Caroline his arm. After gaping at him for a few seconds, she took it, and he walked them to the door.
All Ryland had to do was give his name to the butler at the door. Any Wolverton pack member wasalwayson Lucia’s list, especially Ryland and his two brothers. Caroline, a stranger to this kind of party, couldn’t stop staring in one direction or another. Every inch of the decor, from the sparkling marble floor to the art on the walls, was a clear sign that Lucia was not like other women.
“Ouf da. This is how the one percent lives?” she teased as he handed her a glass of champagne.
“Some of us, yeah.” This time when Caroline spoke the jib about the rich of the world, Ryland remembered that he had a call from Dante. He excused himself and found a quiet place to listen to the voicemail.
“Sir, I thought I would call you as soon as I heard. Caroline Knight is as clean as a whistle, but her brother, Aaron, has been in trouble since he was a kid. He’s been in and out of prison for embezzlement. He has some powerful enemies, and he’s stolen from some dangerous people. His last known address, as of last month, was the same as Caroline's. It looks like he moved in with her the last time he was released. Her finances have taken a serious turn since then. There are more details if you need them.”
Ryland looked down at his phone and blinked. He called Dante back right then and there to get the rest of the details, but Ryland thought it was obvious Caroline was being used by her brother. The call connected immediately, and Ryland thanked his brother for running a tight ship. Wilder might be a stuffy jerk, but he commanded loyalty from the other wolves in the pack.
“Sir,” Dante said.
“The finances, tell me about ’em.”
“Well, Caroline seems to be a few months away from losing everything. Her show has also been bought out by a company called Price-Canal Enterprises. I tried to find some information on them, but it’s a new company. I’m still waiting to hear back on the business license.”
“Keep me posted.”
He was in a sour mood when he joined Caroline. He wanted to pull her aside and ask her about Aaron and the Price-Canal company.
“Is everything okay?” Caroline asked.
“Yeah,” he replied, fighting the urge to tell her that he would fight for her. That she could tell him everything and that he would make it all better for her.
“Is that Ryland Wolverton I see?” a sultry and smoky voice asked behind him.
“Lucia,” he said, turning. They embraced, each kissing the other’s cheeks. “May I present my good friend, Miss Caroline Knight.”
Lucia grinned as she studied Caroline. The dragon was assessing this human. Not many humans would make it through the door unless they were powerful in their own way. Caroline’s presence could be a tip-off that she meant something more to Ryland, but he hoped Lucia would believe their relationship was strictly professional.
“A good friend?” Lucia finally purred, eyeing him. She aimed a bright smile at Caroline. “Any friend of Ryland’s is one of mine. It’s nice to meet you, Miss Knight. Forgive Ryland for not introducing me. He’s always been a bit of a wolf when it comes to manners.”
