Wildest Hearts

matter.”

    “What's that supposed to mean?”

    “It means I don't want your judgment of him to be biased because of your old hatred of me, damn it.”

    Oliver felt cold satisfaction. Shore was more vulnerable than he could have imagined. Desperate, even. The older man's control was close to snapping. There was no point drawing out the cat-and-mouse game any longer. It was time for the kill.

    “I think we should talk about your son,” Oliver said very softly.

    Relief flared in Shore's eyes. “I'm hoping you'll give him a fair chance. He's going to be very successful in his field. And he cares very deeply about Valerie. She'll be good for him. Hell, my wife says they're made for each other. I want my son to be happy, Rain.”

    “Do you?”

    Shore frowned. “I'm assuming you're here today because you want the same for your sister. It's time for you and me to make peace.”

    “You misunderstood me, Shore,” Oliver said. “When I said we should talk about your son, I was referring to your other son, Hammond.”

    “Hammond,” Shore repeated in disbelief.

    “You remember him. He's the one you had to pack off for an extended vacation abroad two years ago after you found out he'd defrauded investors in that development firm you bought for him.”

    Shore's face sagged. “Jesus, man, how did you find out about that?”

    Oliver shrugged. “A little research. Tell me, Shore, how much did it cost you to buy your oldest son out of that mess? You did a neat job of it, I'll grant you that. There wasn't a hint of it in the media. And no charges were filed. Very smoothly handled.”

    “My God, that's why you agreed to meet me today.” Shore's eyes widened. “You're going to blackmail me, aren't you? You're going to threaten to leak the whole story to the press if I don't find a way to force Carson to end his engagement to your sister.”

    Oliver said nothing. He was content to let the full impact of the revelation take its toll before he went on to the next stage of his carefully orchestrated battle plan.

    He was weighing the effects of his first missile, choosing the next target site, when a small flurry of commotion across the room caught his attention.

    Annie's voice sang out, clear as a bell above the muted hum of serious conversation. “Kindly take your hands off me. I told you, I'm Mrs. Oliver Rain and I'm here to join my husband. He's right over there.”

    Startled, Oliver turned his head just in time to see Annie, her curls a wild, frizzy halo around her head, break free of the grasp of the maitre d'. She dashed across the room, sailing toward the table where he and Shore were seated.

    “I'm sorry, madam, but I cannot allow you in without an invitation from one of the members,” the maitre d' said urgently as he trotted after her. “If you will please wait in the lobby, I'm sure we can settle this matter.”

    “There's nothing to worry about,” Annie called back over her shoulder. “I told you my husband was here.”

    She skidded to a halt beside the table Oliver was sharing with Shore. “Hi, Oliver.” She bent her head and gave him a quick wifely peck on the cheek. “Had a little trouble getting in here. I told you I don't look like a Mrs. Oliver Rain.”

    She was breathless, Oliver realized. And damp from the rain. She must have run all the way from Wildest Dreams.

    “What are you doing here, Annie?” he asked as he got slowly to his feet. “Is something wrong?”

    “Not a thing.” She patted him reassuringly on the shoulder and turned her radiant smile on Shore. “Good afternoon, Mr. Shore. Lovely party. Hope you made lots and lots of money for the arts.”

    Shore gazed at her in obvious confusion. “Mrs. Rain.”

    “You remembered my name,” Annie said in delight as she seated herself. “Wasn't Raphaela's work terrific? Raphaela was the designer who did your place for the benefit. I don't know if you happened to notice the cloisonné elephant in the solarium. It came from my shop.”

    “Did it?” Shore looked even more confused.

    “Yes, and I must say, it looked right at home in your solarium.” Annie leaned forward and added in a confidential tone, “It's for sale, you know.”

    “I see.”

    The maitre d' apparently realized he would not have to throw Annie out. He backed off hurriedly and signaled to a waiter.

    Shore stared at Annie. “I wasn't aware you were joining us today.”

    “Neither was I,” Oliver said coldly.

    Annie's smile did the