She lifted her chin. “Just be ready. I’ll cable you instructions tomorrow.”

From atop a great brown stallion, Clay glanced at his bright green riding coat and muttered, “I feel fucking ridiculous.”

“I cannot see how you are complaining,” Florence’s father snapped. “You have the bigger horse.”

It turned out that Florence Greene had a wicked sense of humor. Or, she merely enjoyed torturing Clay. To prove his devotion to her, he had been ordered to join Duncan Greene in the park for a ride. Early in the morning. Wearing clothing of any color but black.

She was a cruel and twisted woman.

Yet, he hadn’t balked. This was important to her and he would see it through, no matter the awkwardness with her father. And it had been dashed awkward.

The two men could barely tolerate one another. They hadn’t made eye contact at all and only a handful of words had been spoken. That Duncan even agreed was a damn miracle.

“How did she get you to participate in this farce?” Clay asked, too curious to not raise the question.

“She didn’t. I refused, but my wife convinced me. Something about young women looking up to their fathers and how forgiveness sets a good example.”

Clay couldn’t help it. He snickered. “Those females run roughshod over you.”

“I suppose they do, but I love them all fiercely. Which brings me to another reason I’m here. If you ever hurt one hair on Florence’s head, I will bury you where they’ll never find the pieces.”

“That is absurd. I’d never hurt her.”

“See that you don’t. Because I will be watching, Madden. The fact that you’ve given up your casino is one of the only reasons I am willing to tolerate your presence in her life.”

“And the fact that you are searching for the East Seventh Street families to make proper restitution is the only reason I am willing to tolerate you.”

“As I told you, I thought they would receive fair market value. I had no idea the man who handled the transaction was stealing from me.”

Clay grunted and kept quiet. He wasn’t here to make polite conversation. The ride was almost done and he preferred less interaction with Duncan, not more. The park had been mostly empty at this time of morning. Thank Christ. This was bad enough without adding the stares and whispers of the city’s snobbish elite on top of it.

They rode in silence for the rest of the journey. When they arrived at the entrance to the park, a familiar blond beauty awaited. His heart lurched in his chest as if the organ was attempting to get to her first.

“I see you both survived,” she said, her wary gaze bouncing between the two men on horseback.

“Indeed, we have.” Duncan kept going, still not bothering to look at Clay. “I expect you to follow shortly, Florence.”