Page 55 of Silks

“Drink your water, sweetheart,” he growled in my ear, his voice sending a jolt down my spine.

I grabbed the ice-cold water. It sparkled with the blackberries Teddy knew I loved and I thankfully took some big gulps.

Tensing, I waited with clenched fists for the start.

“AND THEY’RE OFF!”

The crowd began to roar as the thunder of hooves sounded around the stadium.

Mintmaker was last out of the box, and last to the first post.

“You can do it!” I cried.

And, in a stunning and unbelievable upset, Mintmaker continued to be absolutely dead last for the entire race.

I was on my feet screaming as loudly as I could.

“MINTMAKER!”

The thundering of the thoroughbreds seemed to reverberate through my chest too, my heartbeat thrumming with nerves.

My eyes were glued to the opera glasses, straining to catch the changes in position as the jockeys maneuvered the horses, fighting for the superior position.

As they reached the final stretch, Mintmaker put on a burst of speed, me shrieking encouragement, and the Barrington Stables thoroughbred breezed into the finish line still just absolutely dead last.

My jaw dropped as I looked at my brother.

“What the fuck happened?” I hissed.

“Wait, did you want Mintmaker to win?” he asked, a frown line appearing between his brows.

“Well, no,” I said, “But I thought that was the whole point of this!”

“I switched the vials,” Teddy said in my ear, his voice tickling the swan feathers of my fascinator and sending curls of heat through me. “You said the doping might hurt Mintmaker.”

I let out a wild burst of laughter.

My brother. My goddamn ruthless, obsessed, infuriating, extremely effective brother.

I pulled on his arm, and he put his head down to my level, nuzzling my neck and biting teasingly at my skin.

“I love you,” I said, and I heard the satisfied rumble of his chest in response.

“I live for you only, sister,” he said.

Just then, Mom came darting over.

“Barrington Stables has never placed a horse that low,” she cried in slightly hysterical way. “Your dad said something must have gone wrong.”

“It looks like Sweet Pea won,” I said. “She ran so cleverly. It was a well-deserved win.”

Mom looked at me like I had grown three heads. “Dad is pissed,” she said, looking at Teddy, “and he wants to see you.”

Teddy nodded, then bent over and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be right back.”