She pulled her red Range Rover through the gates and into the circular drive. Germaine had hired a valet service for his guests’ convenience and Avery surrendered her vehicle—a gift she had purchased for herself after she signed on to host American Events—to a polite young man who handed her a tag in return. Avery had dressed strategically for this evening’s event. She wore tapered slacks that accentuated her long legs. At five-ten she didn’t need much help. A white, sleeveless blouse displayed her toned arms and gave off an aura of strength, which she always needed when dealing with Mosley Germaine. Her auburn streaked hair was pulled back in a stylish ponytail to keep it out of her face when the Playa del Rey winds kicked up. Standing face to face with Mr. Germaine and constantly having to swipe wild strands of hair behind her ear was a disadvantage she would not allow. She headed up the front steps, her high heels clicking on the stone as she went—another tactical move. The heels put her squarely at six feet. When Germaine managed to find her, she would be eye to eye with him.

A hostess greeted her at the front door with a tray of champagne flutes. Avery took one and sipped it. As usual, it was some of the best she’d ever tasted. Germaine spared no expense at these annual galas, to which Avery had been invited twice before.

She had just passed through the entry foyer and walked to the edge of the kitchen when she spotted Christine Swanson.

“Ah, you made it, girl!” Christine said.

“Thank God.” Avery grabbed her hand. “Give me some recon. A quick lay of the land.”

“Ooh, you’re in fighting mode. I love it.”

“I should have worn camouflage.”

“Germaine is on the patio and in a festive mood. And Mr. Hillary has honored us with his presence, as well.”

“Hillary?”

David Hillary was the billionaire owner of the communications conglomerate HAP Media, of which HAP News was one of many affiliates. As executive chairman, very little happened at the company that did not contain his stamp of approval.

“Yes. He’s in a white seersucker suit, looks like he just came from the tanning booth, and has his fifth wife on his arm. She looks like she just graduated from college.”

“Probably with a degree in communications.”

This made Christine laugh. “She won’t need a degree. If she’s smart, she’ll divorce him in a couple years and take a hundred million with her.”

“I always love when one of his exes takes another chunk of his fortune,” Avery said. It had happened twice before during Avery’s short tenure at HAP News.

“Why are fabulously rich men so stupid when it comes to women?” Christine asked.

“Because they think with their groins and can’t help themselves.”