Page 4 of The Front Runner
She stares back at me, slightly slack-jawed.If looks could kill.
“I don’t make deals with the Devil, Dalca. Some people might look the other way where you’re concerned, but I’m not one of them.”
“Billie.” Vaughn, her fiancé, comes up behind her, snaking an arm around her waist. He leans in close to her ear with a small smile, and I swear he says, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.”
Her gaze flits up to his, and she gives him a small nod before turning away from me. He doesn’t, though. He stands there and glares at me.
If looks could kill.
“Don’t suppose you’re up for a handshake either?” I shouldn’t say it, but they’re all so childish. It’s difficult not to stoop to their level.
He shakes his head and turns away from me with a disappointed sigh. I make a point not to look around myself. I’m not above feeling some level of embarrassment. And being entirely ignored by some of the biggest names in the business stings. Something I refuse to show.
Shoving my shoulders back, I turn to Violet, who is positively beaming on the back of the black horse. “Remarkable win, Mrs. Harding.”
She looks down at me with a slight smile before placing her small hand in mine. She never has been as hard on me. Instead, she looks at me with pity—which is definitely worse.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Dalca. Your stallion ran well, too.”
From behind Violet, I can see her husband storming through the crowd, looking like he might take my head off. The man is massive and terrifying, and I’m probably out of my league where he’s concerned.
“Stefan.” Mira sidles up beside me, wrapping her hand around my elbow. “It’s time for you to go.”
I tilt my head in her direction with a quirk of my cheek. “But why, Dr. Thorne? I’m having so much fun.”
Her lips purse together like she’s trying to hide a smile. “Because Cole Harding will legit murder you for waltzing in here and making trouble.”
She tugs me away from the center of the circle, other people already pushing in to replace our spots.
I bristle a bit as she leads me toward the surrounding fence. “I’m not making trouble. I’m offering my congratulations like any good competitor would.”
She stops with a sigh and hits me with her signature stern stare. “Iknow that. But them?” She hikes a thumb over her shoulder toward her closest friends. “They don’t see it that way. The best thing you can do is leave. Send a card in the mail if you need to congratulate them. Please just don’t make a scene. Let them enjoy this.”
I shoot her a disbelieving look. Billie Black might be her best friend, but we both recognize I’m not the scene-maker in this scenario.
“I know.” She runs a hand through her hair. “Iknow.Please?”
“Please what?” That word sounds so damn good on her lips.
“Please, just go.” Her eyes are wide and pleading. Absolutely distracting.
I tap at my lips and stare up at the sky dramatically like I’m considering what she’s told me. “What’s in it for me?”
“Stefan.” Her tone is so scolding.
I pin her with my gaze. “Let me take you on a date, and I’ll leave like you want me to.”
She shakes her head, and this time she can’t contain the smile that touches her mouth. “You’re insane, you know that?”
Can’t blame a guy for trying.
I wink at her before I turn away and call back over my shoulder. “Yeah, but that’s what you love about me.”
She groans, and I chuckle under my breath as I leave.
Yep. Just insane enough to keep trying.
Mira
