We enter the elevator, and as soon as Beck taps the down button, we drop rapidly. I expect to see the marble lobby I entered earlier, but the door opens to a garage. I follow him over to his car, which is parked in the prime spot just to the left of the elevator doors. Once I settle into the passenger seat, we’re soon flying along the roads of Kluvberg. I take the opportunity to reply to Ellie finally, going for a garbled version of the truth.

Nope, I’m meeting a guy for brunch.

She replies immediately. OMG! Text me after.

Great. More lies to concoct. Maybe I should just fess up.

I switch my attention to Beck. “So, anything I should know?”

“Hmm?” He keeps his eyes on the road, which I guess is a good thing.

“Family skeletons? Awkward baby photos? Drama? What am I walking into here?”

One corner, or at least the corner I can see, of Beck’s mouth lifts. “I wouldn’t be expecting any of that. You’ll probably be bored.”

I eye him dubiously. It’s just now occurring to me, since he brought it up, that I’ve never been bored in Beck’s presence. Not once.

“What if they ask about…” I make the same vague gesture between us I did earlier this morning.

I’m not sure if Beck catches the motion I make, but he catches my meaning. “They won’t.” His voice is confident. “The media keeps them plenty well apprised of my sex life. They won’t be asking for details.”

I have nothing to say to that, so the rest of the drive passes in silence. My sense of travel time is skewed thanks to Beck’s lead foot, but we take about forty-five minutes to reach a pair of black wrought-iron gates. I’d guess the trip was probably supposed to take an hour.

I don’t say anything as we roll through the open gate and along a cobblestone driveway Beck has the sense to slow down for. I’m too busy gaping at the estate we’re driving toward. I shouldn’t be this shocked. I just left Beck’s penthouse suite that, if I had to guess, I’d estimate cost several million dollars. Logically, I know he, and his family, have money. Lots of it. But I’ve never lived anywhere besides the three-bedroom bungalow my parents bought when they got married, a dorm room, and the Colonial-style cottage I share with Cressida, Anne, and Emma that seems to need repairs constantly.