She’d almost reached the two men and she was staring directly into Reardon’s face. So cold…She’d only seen him on Skype before, and it didn’t compare to the full impact of the man. He wasn’t like Masenak. Those features were sharp and intelligent, his intensity cruel rather than brutal. But his pale-hazel eyes were dead and without feeling.

“Ah, there you are.” Reardon was smiling at her, but it didn’t reach those pale eyes. “I was telling Masenak I couldn’t wait to meet you. I could see all that strength and spirit and thought how unusual it was that such a young girl would possess it. I told him it was a shame to waste it on those horses.”

“He wouldn’t agree with you. He believes that’s exactly where I should be. He’s told me that any number of times.” She glanced at Masenak. “Isn’t that right?”

“I’d hate to argue with such an old friend,” Masenak said. “There might be room for two sets of thinking on the subject. We’ve been talking about combining our efforts on Chaos once you’ve got him under control. Reardon has some interesting ideas that might benefit both of us.”

“But you don’t have to do that,” she said swiftly. “Once Chaos has won the race, you can do whatever you wish with him.”

“You seem to be certain Nightshade won’t win,” Reardon said. “Chaos is obviously a phenomenal horse, but you’ve been telling Masenak that he’s too unstable to trust on the track. Have you been lying to him?”

“He’s wild. Ask anyone if they can ride him.”

“I don’t have to ask anyone. I have my jockey in you. If you can ride him once, you can ride him again.” He took a step closer, and then closer. “And again and again.”

She forced herself not to take a step back. That’s what he wanted her to do. “It can’t happen that way. I’d rely on Nightshade, if I were you. She won’t embarrass you in front of your friends.”