Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

So, I have a temper.

Are you really that surprised?

~ Chloé

THERE ARE MOMENTS in life that will always stand out. The time, the place, the sounds, the people—and as Chloé stood in the middle of the Juliette Grand Ballroom of the LondonHouse, she knew that this was one of those moments.

Senator Randall Copeland was an ass. The way he’d just dismissed Zayne—his son—confirmed every single thought she’d ever had about the vile man. But as he walked away from them and the crowd behind him came into view, Chloé’s disgust instantly took a back seat to the shock waves that hit her when she spotted two familiar faces staring back at her.

“Chloé?”

“MonAnge?”

Oh. My. God.

“Dad…? Papounet…? What, what are you doing—”

The catering event. Wait, they’re catering this event? Oh my God. That’s his food, our food. How could I be so stupid?

She could hear the chatter of the crowd in the distance as her brain tried to catch up with what it was seeing. But her ability to form complete sentences seemed to have vanished in the blink of an eye.

“Jules?” Dad said, leaning into her père’s side. “Did he just say our date?”

Putain. That was exactly what Zayne had just said to the senator, and as Chloé stood there frozen in place, she felt her two “dates” move up beside her.

“Chloé?”

She wasn’t quite sure if it was Ethan’s voice by her ear or her père’s eyes on his hand at the small of her back that sent a shiver down her spine.

But when Ethan added, “Are you okay, petite fille?” her stomach twisted into a giant knot.

“What did you just call her?” Père took astep forward, those usually kind jade eyes shooting daggers in Ethan’s direction. But luckily for them, her dad slipped his arm through his husband’s elbow, halting him.

“Jules…” Dad’s eyes shifted between Ethan and Zayne as he patted her père’s sleeve. “I’m all for making a scene, but perhaps this isn’t the right place? Let’s take this…discussion somewhere private.”

“Très bien.But they stay.”

She could feel Ethan and Zayne’s eyes on her, but there was no getting out of this—she just had to hope they would understand and wait for her. “I’ll be right back.”

They didn’t even get a chance to respond before her père took hold of her elbow and began to tow her through the crowd toward a set of double doors. Seconds later they were outside the ballroom and he was guiding her around a corner and into the setup area. She wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing that he hadn’t taken her to the kitchens. At least in there the other employees of JULIEN could bear witness to whether or not she survived the next however many minutes.

The door clicked shut behind them, and her père let her go and started to pace the room.

"Ce salaud, Il ose l’appeler sa petite fille. Je devrais lui arracher la langue."

Chloé’s eyes widened at the outburst. This was so unlike her père. He was always so calm, so collected. Hell, he drank green juice and meditated every morning, for God’s sake. But the man currently wearing a hole in the shiny wooden floor was vibrating with fury.

She looked to her dad, hoping for some kind of help, but he was busy glaring her to death. So she figured her best course of action was to stay as still and silent as possible until the initial shock wore off.

“Well?” her dad finally said, planting his hands on his hips. “What are you waiting for?”

Umm… Permission to breathe?

“Explain yourself, young lady.”

Chloé worried her lower lip, trying to come up with any scenario in which the explanation she gave would be acceptable—but she had nothing.

“Chloé,” Dad snapped, and she blinked him back into focus. “What are you doing here?”

Okay, she just needed to suck it up and spill the beans. Rip off the Band-Aid, so to speak. That was easier said than done, though, when you knew it was going to hurt like hell.

“I’m… I’m on my date.”

“Your date.” Dad eyed her as though she’d lost her mind. “Your date brought you to an event for Senator Randall Copeland?”

Well, technically he was the son of Senator Randall Copeland. But the horrified look on her dad’s face said to maybe keep that little tidbit to herself.

“Wow. He sounds like a real winner, Chloé.”

Chloé’s spine stiffened in automatic defense of Zayne. “He is, actually, and you’re one to judge. You’re catering the event.”

“Because your père was highly recommended and only found out at the last minute who it was for.” He let out a huff. “But that’s beside the point.”

“Then what is the point? You don’t like where my date brought me for dinner?”

He shook a finger under her nose. “Don’t you sass me.”

“I’m not—”

“Yes, you are. And while that certainly should be a point, there are several others I’d like to discuss first. Starting with, did I or did I not hear them say that you were their date? And second, how old are they? Because those two men sure as hell aren’t nineteen.” He crossed his arms and tapped his foot on the hardwood floor. “I’m waiting.”

And I’m stalling… Think, Chloé, think.

But there was no getting out of this. Not anymore. Ethan and Zayne were out there waiting for her so they could leave, and after this conversation it’d either be with them or in a body bag.

Mustering up every bit of courage she had, Chloé looked her dad straight in the eye.

“Okay, yes, you heard right. I’m here with both of them. They’re both my dates.”

Dad’s eyes widened until they all but encompassed his face, and her père came to a stop and pivoted in their direction.

“Oh my God. I knew it.” Dad turned away from her and looked up to the heavens. “I knew that’s what I heard.”

Chloé’s eyes flicked to her père,who was just staring at her now, and for the life of her she couldn’t get a read on his expression.

“And they’re twenty-nine… I think?”

“You think?” Her dad whirled around on her. “What do you mean, you think?”

“Well, you always told me it’s not polite to ask.”

“I certainly hope they asked your age.” He started to mutter to himself then. “Their date… Twenty-nine… Sweet Mary, mother of God, Joel is going to have a heart attack…”

Her père marched back across the room.

“I don’t have time for this.” He shook his head and rubbed a hand over his face. “I have a ballroom full of guests, two of which are apparently your dates, and now I’m running late. I don’t know what you think you’re playing at, Chloé,but this? I don’t even have the words for what this is. Just thank your lucky stars your papa isn’t here right now.”

His anger and disappointment were palpable, and the knowledge that she’d caused it had her lowering her head.

“We’ll talk about this later, at home. I have to go to work now.”

Hepulled open the door and exited the room, leaving her standing there staring at an empty doorway, her stomach churning at the idea she’d let him down.

“What on earth are you thinking?” She turned to see her dad walking over to her. “Two men, Chloé? Really? Is this some kind of joke? Are you trying to prank us?”

“No, I’m not trying to prank you. I didn’t plan it. It just happened. And I like them—a lot.”

“It just happened…” He let out a long-suffering sigh and rubbed his hands over his face. “You know what? I think it’s best if you make your excuses and go home for the night.”

Chloé’s jaw hit the ground as her entire being filled with righteous indignation. “I’m not going home. I’m not some little girl—”

“According to that man out there, you are.”

She jutted her chin out in automatic defiance. “You know what I mean. I’m on a date. I’m not going home like some child sent to her room.”

“Then where are you going to go? Their home? Their room?”

She opened her mouth to respond, but he held up a finger.

“I don’t want to hear it. You’ve lied to us for God knows how long, and I’m not in the mood for you to try to talk your way out of it.”

“Fine.” Chloé stormed over to the door, her temper starting to bubble up now. “I thought at least you would understand.”

“Oh, I understand. The attention, the rush. It’s addictive. It’s also very dangerous. You’re young and inexperienced—they’re not. I’ve known men like that.”

“You married two men like that.”

Dad reared back as though she’d slapped him, and for a second she regretted her outburst.

“We’re done talking. I recommend you leave before either of us say things we might regret.”

Fuming now, Chloé bit down on her tongue, yanked open the door, and stormed out into the hall, her anger hot on her heels.

Never had the term “do as I say and not as I do” been so appropriate, and the judgment she was feeling only spurred on her defiance.

Why was it okay for them to be together as three but not her? They’d always taught her to be open-minded, and now that she was, they had a problem with it? How was that fair? She’d at least thought her dad would be on her side. But for now, it looked like she was on her own.

Well, as alone as one could be when she had two gorgeous men waiting for her—and with that thought in mind, she marched down the hall and decided she was going to finish out her date tonight and deal with the consequences tomorrow.

* * *

“DID RED JUST call one of them Dad?” Zayne zeroed in on the two men ushering Chloé out of the ballroom, one in a black chef’s jacket and the other in a flashy gold floral Baroque suit. “I didn’t imagine that, right?”

“No, you did not.” Ethan snagged two glasses of champagne as a waitress walked by and handed one to Zayne. It wasn’t either of their first choices when it came to alcohol, but considering the circumstances, they weren’t about to be picky.

They each drained their glass in one long gulp.

“If I had to guess,” Ethan said, eyeing the exit the three had just walked through, “Papounet also means some kind of fatherly endearment.”

“French again.”

“Right.” Ethan looked around at the crowds of people, then turned to the small group behind them and asked, “Excuse me, who is catering tonight’s event? The food is delicious.”

The woman he’d addressed gave him a tight-lipped smile, no doubt horrified by the things she’d just overheard. But her high-class upbringing demanded she show good manners and respond.

“I believe the restaurant JULIEN is catering tonight.”

“That’s what I thought. I just wanted to be sure. Thank you.”

Oh shit—“Red works for her dad,” Zayne said.

“Who, tonight, is working for your dad.” Ethan pulled his phone from his pocket and typed something in, then he nodded and turned it over to Zayne.

There on the screen was a photograph of the handsome man who’d just been glaring them to death. He was dressed in his chef whites, and underneath the photo read: Internationally renowned, multi-Michelin-starred chef Julien Thornton-Priestley.

He scrolled a little further down to see: Thornton-Priestley has opened a successful string of restaurants across the United States, England, and France…

“Her father is a famous chef. Suddenly I wish I was into the culinary scene. Maybe I would’ve made the connection.”

Ethan tugged on the sleeves of his jacket and smirked. “That would’ve made tonight easier, that’s for sure. We had her last name right there on the contract—it just never clicked.”

Zayne rubbed at his forehead. “No wonder she’s so good for her age. She’s been cooking her whole life.”

“It would appear so.”

Zayne was about to ask how Ethan thought the conversation outside was going when he caught sight of the senator in his periphery.

Fuckin’ hell, he was heading back in their direction, more than likely about to ream them a new one for not leaving when he’d told them to, and Zayne wasn’t really in the mood for another confrontation tonight.

“Hey? You wanna head out to the hallway and wait for Red there?”

Ethan glanced over his shoulder and nodded when he spotted the senator. “Definitely. Let’s go.”

They made their way toward the main doors, but just as they were about to step outside, Zayne saw Chef Julien march back into the ballroom. He had a scowl on his face and looked like he wanted to punch something—probably one of them.

Zayne squeezed Ethan’s hand, drawing him to a halt, and as they looked in the chef’s direction, it was as though he sensed their attention. Julien glanced across the crowded room and zeroed in on the two of them, and with his dark hair cut short and the silver at his temples, the brilliant shade of his green eyes stood out like a laser beam.

Damn. Julien Thornton-Priestley was hot.

“He looks pissed.” Zayne turned to Ethan, who was caught in the same stare-off.

“That’s an understatement. I don’t see the other two, though, do you?”

“Nope, just him.”

Julien’s eyes narrowed a fraction, but then he quickly dismissed them and headed off to what Zayne suspected were the kitchens.

“Dinner’s about to be served, remember?”

“That’s right.” Ethan led him through the doors and out into the hallway. “I’m rather sad we won’t get to experience his food tonight, knowing who he is.”

Zayne scoffed. “Yeah, even I might’ve braved the senator’s wrath for that meal, but somehow I think our heads would’ve ended up on the platters if we stayed.”

“Hmm. You might be right.” As the quiet of the hallway found them, Ethan turned serious eyes on Zayne. “Speaking of, are you okay after that showdown with your father?”

“Yeah. It’s all good. If I’m being honest, I’ve been looking for a way out of that deal for a long time.”

“Really?”

“Really. I just didn’t want it to affect us in any way.”

“Why would it affect us?”

Zayne hated talking about anything to do with his father. But he especially hated talking about this particular topic.

“Zayne?” Ethan reached for his chin. “Answer me. Why would it affect us?”

“I don’t know, this was always just my way to…” When Zayne couldn’t quite get the words out, Ethan arched a brow.

“To?”

“Contribute, okay? I was able to drum up clients at these bullshit events. They bring in money—lots of it. If I’m not doing that, what the hell do I bring to the table?”

“You better be joking.”

Zayne shrugged, and fire flashed in Ethan’s eyes.

“I don’t give a goddamn fuck about these assholes and their money, Zayne. I only come here because I know you do. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” He took a step forward, backing Zayne up against the wall. “The majority of our members come to the club to see you. They hear about your demonstrations, see one, and then keep coming back for more. It’s the idea of watching you, touching you, being with you, that keeps them coming back.”

Ethan leaned in and flicked his tongue over Zayne’s earlobe. “That’s got nothing to do with your father’s connection and everything to do with the fact that you’re one hot motherfucker.”

“Jesus…” Zayne sucked in a deep breath, feeling his cock stiffening behind the zipper of his pants.

“If we weren’t waiting on Chloé right now, I’d take you into one of these rooms and use that leather belt of yours on your ass for doubting that.”

Zayne thrust his hips up against the thigh wedged between his legs, but the sound of a door opening had the two of them turning.

Chloé stormed out of a room with her blue dress swirling at her feet. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and angled her head high, then she started in their direction as though she were stomping a catwalk.

“Damn.” Zayne whistled. “Would you look at that.”

“Hard to look anywhere else.”

From the flames of her auburn hair down to her icy-blue stilettos, it was clear Chloé was irritated. She was muttering to herself and her cheeks were flushed red, and as she continued up the hall, Ethan looked back at Zayne.

“Looks like someone’s fired up. Ready to go get our girl?”

Hell yes, he was.

* * *

ETHAN SLIPPED HIS hands in his pockets and did his best to adjust his stiff dick as they made their way down the hall toward the sizzling siren leaving a trail of fire in her wake.

Tonight had not gone as planned. Something he did not enjoy or appreciate. But it’d been out of his hands and no one’s fault but fate, and that fickle bitch had been fucking with him his entire life. So he shouldn’t be all that surprised that something he’d been looking forward to had ended up a complete disaster.

He glanced over at Zayne, still upset by the idea that he would ever doubt his worth in any aspect. It wasn’t a new concern, not by any means. Zayne had been dealing with this mindset since he was a boy, and when it had come to putting up capital for their business, he had balked at the idea of Ethan being the one to do so, when for Ethan, it had been a no-brainer.

He had more money than he knew what to do with, and not because of anything that he’d ever done. His wealth wasn’t something he’d accumulated on his own. It wasn’t something he’d even wanted. But again, fate had decided that particular path for him. So if he could share it with the man he loved, then at least the fucked-up cards he’d been dealt as a child weren’t for nothing.

Ethan turned his attention back to the spitfire headed in their direction—another wild card fate had thrown their way. This one, however, he was more than happy to play with.

He had no idea what to expect from Chloé and this situation they now found themselves in. She was clearly upset. But why? And at whom?

She’d almost reached them when she finally raised her head, and when her stormy eyes locked on the pair of them, her chin kicked up a notch higher.

Her entire demeanor had changed from the open and carefree woman earlier to the guarded and defensive one he saw right now. She looked ready to fight, ready to take down whoever got in the way of her mission, and Ethan was curious what exactly that mission was.

“There you are,” Zayne said, grinning amiably. “We were about to send out a search party for you.”

“No need.” Chloé came to a stop opposite them and straightened her shoulders. “I’m more than capable of looking after myself.”

Yes, someone is definitely in a mood.

“Didn’t doubt that for a second, Red. I was more worried about your fathers.”

She let out soft little huff and rolled her eyes. “They’re fine.”

“Fine, huh?” Ethan said.

“Yes. They’re fine.”

He didn’t believe that for a second. She was too tense, too on edge, and she looked like she wanted to scratch his eyes out for questioning her. Too bad—he was just getting started.

“So, they’re okay with the fact that you’re out on a date with two men?”

“Well, they weren’t thrilled about it, but I explained.”

“And how did that go?”

“Just as I said, fine.”

He was getting really sick of that word. Three times it’d fallen from her lips, but he’d let it go…for now. Their wildcat was wound up tight, and he had a feeling that one wrong move would have her hissing and clawing her way out of the corner she currently found herself in.

Patience, he reminded himself. It was one of the only virtues he possessed.

“In that case, how are you?”

“I’m—” She must’ve sensed something in that moment, because she quickly deviated from what he suspected was another fine. “I’m a little bit…annoyed.”

Now they were getting somewhere. “A little bit?”

“Yes. I knew they’d be upset—I lied to them. I deserve that. But I figured once they knew why I lied, they would understand.”

Zayne scoffed. “Red, I don’t think any father is ready to handle the idea of his daughter dating two guys.”

“Yeah, but my fathers aren’t just any fathers. They did the exact same thing I’m doing, but for some reason are being all high and mighty about it.” She frowned and shook her head. “I expected that from my papa. But not Dad, not Papounet. They were so…so disappointed.”

She shut her eyes and rubbed her hands over her face, her initial annoyance now turning to defeat, and it pulled at something in Ethan’s heart.

He reached for her hands and lowered them from her face. “I’m sure that when the shock wears off, you’ll all talk and sort things out. They were just taken off guard. That’s all.”

She bit down into her lip and nodded. “Maybe.”

He glanced over his shoulder to Zayne and noticed the same concern in his eyes. They needed to get her out of there. The last thing she needed was Zayne’s father—or her own—to find them again and round out the evening.

“Are you hungry?” he asked her.

“Hungry?”

“Yes. Since I don’t think we are going to be invited to the chef’s table tonight—”

“Oh God.” Chloé grimaced. “You know…”

“That one of your fathers is Julien Thornton-Priestley? Oui, we know.” Color bloomed on her cheeks. “We put it together while you were gone. Why didn’t you tell us that JULIEN was your family’s restaurant?”

“I—” Chloé started to speak and then let out a sigh. “I don’t know. I was going to a couple of times and then it just snowballed out of control, I guess.”

Usually, Ethan would reprimand or punish his sub for such an omission. But with everything that had happened tonight, he was willing to let this one go. Chloé had enough to deal with right now, and he wasn’t about to add to it.

“Well, I don’t know about you two.” Zayne moved up beside Chloé and took one of her hands, kissing her knuckles. “But I’m ready to get out of here. One father wanting to kick my ass is bad enough, but three…”

A quick burst of laughter left her lips, and he winked at Ethan over her head. Things might not have gone as planned tonight, but they sure as hell hadn’t been boring.