REBOUND

DINNER WITH THE DEVIL

CHAPTER FIVE

The dress was waiting on my doorstep in a black box with silver ribbon, something expensive chosen by Kai to make me look the part even if I'd never belong.

I opened it at six, and inside was deep wine fabric that felt like water. When I put it on, the mirror showed someone I barely recognized, and for a second I let myself imagine what it would be like if this was real.

Then I remembered Kai whispering "perfect" in the cafeteria like I was performing a trick.

The driver arrived at 6:30 and took me to the Donovan estate, all stone and glass and perfect landscaping. Kai waited at the entrance in a dark suit, eyes moving over the dress in a way that made my skin feel too hot.

"You're on time," he said. "I'm impressed."

"You threatened me if I wasn't."

"True." He offered his arm. "My father's waiting. Don't mention your brother unless he asks, don't get emotional, and don't look terrified."

"Any other instructions?"

Something sharp flashed in his eyes. "Being yourself is exactly what you shouldn't do. You're playing a part, Iris. Rich girlfriend who wants to be here, not scholarship student here because her brother's dying. Think you can manage that?"

The words hit like a slap. "I'll manage."

"Good." He didn't apologize, just guided me inside to a dining room where Harrison Donovan waited at a table set for three.

Harrison looked like an older Kai, same sharp features and eyes that gave nothing away.

"Father, this is Iris Chen," Kai said, hand moving to my back. "Iris, my father Harrison."

"Mr. Donovan, thank you for having me."

"Yes, well." Harrison's eyes appraised me. "Kai's been quite insistent. Please, sit."

A woman brought wine for them and water for me in crystal that probably cost more than Mom's paycheck.

"So Iris," Harrison said, cutting his salad. "Academic scholarship. Quite an achievement. What do your parents do?"

"My mother's a nurse at Memorial Hospital. My father isn't in the picture."

"I see. And your plans after Ashford?"

"Pre-med, hopefully."

"Expensive." He set down his glass. "Medical school's quite a commitment for someone without family resources. Thought about how you'll manage?"

Kai's hand found mine under the table and squeezed in warning. "I'll figure it out. I always do."

"I'm sure. Kai, I'm surprised by your choice. You've never shown interest in scholarship students before."

"Iris isn't like the others," Kai said, and his tone made my stomach twist. "She's got ambition. She knows what she wants and works for it."

"Is that what attracted you?" Harrison asked me. "His work ethic?"

The trap was obvious. "Actually, I was attracted to the fact that he doesn't treat me like I'm invisible. Most people at Ashford look through scholarship students. Kai actually sees me."

"How refreshing. And tell me, have you met Emily Hartley? Lovely girl, very accomplished. Her father and I have been discussing a partnership between our families."

Kai's grip tightened painfully. "The Hartley partnership is off the table. I've made that clear."

"You've made your feelings clear," Harrison corrected. "But you're eighteen. Feelings change, business remains. Miss Chen seems intelligent enough to understand that."

"I understand Kai makes his own decisions," I said carefully.

"Do you? Because you appeared rather conveniently just as Hartley discussions reached a critical point. One might think the timing was strategic."

"One might think a lot of things," Kai cut in. "But Iris is my girlfriend and I'd appreciate you not interrogating her."

"I'm simply getting to know her." Harrison's eyes moved between us. "Though you haven't answered my question, Miss Chen. Is the timing coincidental?"

I could feel them both waiting. "I don't know anything about business partnerships. I just know Kai and I connected and I like spending time with him. If that's inconvenient, that's not my problem."

Something almost like approval crossed Harrison's face. "Fair enough. Though relationships at your age rarely last, and when they end, you'll find yourself back where you started. Without the dress, without the dinners, without access to circles that don't welcome scholarship students."

"That's enough," Kai said, voice cold. "You've made your point."

"Have I?" Harrison stood. "I'll leave you to finish. Miss Chen, educational meeting you. Kai, we'll discuss this later."

He left and Kai's hand was still holding mine, pulse racing.

"That went well," I tried.

Kai pulled away and stood. "Come on, we're leaving."

"But dinner—"

"I said we're leaving."

He walked out without checking if I followed and I scrambled after him, nearly tripping in expensive heels. We made it to his car and he got in without opening my door. I climbed in myself and barely had my seatbelt on before he pulled out fast enough to make tires squeal.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to make things worse."

"You didn't make anything worse. He was always going to hate you because you're not Emily and not useful for business. That's how he sees people. As transactions."

"Sounds familiar," I muttered.

His look could've frozen water. "You think I'm like him?"

"Aren't you? You're blackmailing me for your own benefit. How is that different from him wanting you to date Emily for business?"

"It's different because I'm not pretending it's anything other than what it is." His voice was sharp. "I told you this was a deal and you agreed. At least I'm honest about using you."

The words hit like a punch and I turned to the window.

"Right. At least you're honest."

We drove in silence before he pulled over suddenly. He put the car in park and faced me, expression strange.

"My father's going to try to break us up. Offer you money or threaten your scholarship. Are you going to take it?"

"Is that what you think of me?"

"I don't know what to think of you." His eyes searched my face. "You showed up out of nowhere, agreed to this without much fight, handled my father better than girls trained for it. Either you're desperate or playing a game I don't understand yet."

"I told you I'm desperate. My brother—"

"Is dying, I know. But there's something else you're not telling me. I can feel it."

My heart stopped. "I don't know what you mean."

"Yes you do." He leaned closer. "You're hiding something, Iris. And I'm going to find out what."

His phone rang. He glanced at the screen. "What?... When?... How bad?... I'll be there in ten."

He hung up and started driving faster.

"What's wrong?"

"Emily's in the hospital." His voice was flat. "She tried to kill herself an hour ago. She's asking for me."

The world tilted because Emily in the hospital meant she might tell about Lincoln, meaning everything was about to change.

"I'm taking you home," Kai said. "This doesn't concern you."

But he was wrong because everything about Emily concerned me now, and as we drove through streets that suddenly felt dangerous, I realized the girl who wanted to destroy me might be the

only person who could save me.

And I had no idea what that meant.