Page 86 of Executive Decision

“Malcolm,” Chloe said. “He’s my grand prix prospect. A new toy.”

“A veryexpensivetoy,” Cal said.

“He earns his keep with the ladies,” Chloe said. “We imported him. He’s a baby still—only five—but there aren’t any studs with his lines in the US yet. We’re doing a lot of business. I gotta grab his wraps. Gimme a sec.”

She disappeared. I whispered, “Cal… where’s the guy?”

Chloe returned from the tack room.

“That’s my guy,” Cal whispered, nodding at Chloe.

“Chloe?” I asked, confused.

“Yeah?” Chloe asked.

“Sorry. He just said… you’re the guy?”

“Nope,” Chloe answered. “I’m the badass bitch who is here to back you, Daphne.That’swhat I am.”

“Noted,” I said.

“I’m glad to discuss whatever it is we need to. But I figured you could take out my schoolmistress, Claire, while we talk. She’s a bit of a pain, but she’s less spooky than this annoying prick.”

She patted the stallion’s shoulder.

“You’re good to ride, right?” Chloe said.

“I am. I have a helmet in the car. Based on what your brother said, I wasn’t sure what the assignment was.”

“It is secret squirrel stuff. Grab your hat. We’ll go out on the trails. This is the easy day for this one.”

I agreed, returning to my new car—a gift from Mum—to grab my brain bucket. When I approached Chloe, Cal held a bay mare with resting bitch face.

“Daphne, this is Claire. She’s sometimes a cunt, but she’s nice to ride. Promise,” Chloe explained.

“Typical mare,” I said. “Are you joining us, Cal?”

“I am opposed to horses. As you can see, they loathe me.”

“No, that’s just her normal face,” Chloe giggled. “He’s a wuss.”

“I’m aware of my mortality. We’re not all rubber like you, kid.”

Chloe fastened her helmet. “Well, go up to the lounge and have a pop or something. There’s always snacks. We won’t be gone forever.”

We took the horses outside to a waiting mounting block near one of two massive indoor arenas. It was a horse palace. It put our nice, but much simpler stables outside London to shame. I rode there for years before going through IVF. I sold my horse when it became clear I wasn’t around enough to enjoy her.

Chloe swung up on her massive horse without issue. I looked at Claire like she was a fire breathing dragon. This did not bode well. Cal held her as I swung astride her and grabbed my reins.

“You good?” He asked protectively.

“I’m good,” I promised.

Cal patted my boot and left. I followed Chloe across the parking lot towards a break in the trees. A wide path greeted us. It was nice to see a show barn with trails. It spoke volumes about the care the horses received outside daily training.

“This place is gorgeous,” I caught up.

“I love it here. The coach is amazing, too. She’s working wonders with Malcolm. And Claire is in a part-lease with a teenager who thinks she hung the moon. It makes me happy to know they are cared for. Of course, Mom comes out to check on them. She’s not one to ride, though.”

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