rand Plaza Club yielded under the weig
heavily perfumed with the scent of expensive Tom Ford cologne and the sharp, metallic tang of vintage champagne. A live jazz b
orate titans mingled. It was a world designed to make people like Dawn-people who
redible," a v
ss confidence that only came from never having to worry about money. She wo
nimalist, elegant, and entirely out of her budget, p
," Allyson said, pulling Dawn toward the cente
ptons. As they approached the bar, a familiar face stepped into their path. Kyle Bishop, a guy
Kyle said, extending a crystal flut
icate stem of the glass. She forced the corners of her mout
t the DA's office, a sudden, palpable shi
breath. The low hum of conversation near the entrance a
bubbles in her glass. But the physical reaction of the crowd was impossible to ignore. Like the Red Sea parting for Mo
le's shoulder, pulled by an
stepped into
old money and absolute power. But it wasn't the clothes that commanded the room; it was the way he wore them. He moved with
. The crystal glass in her hand suddenly felt
e her body so that Kyle's broader frame would cast a shadow over her. She wante
He was scanning the crowd, his expression utterly
ept over the area whe
second, his dark ey
est. Her lungs seized. The noise of the jazz band faded into a distant, muffled hum. Time stopped. In
re was
hs, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a mask of mild disinterest. H
y without missing a beat, and continued his path toward
playboy and Arlo's oldest friend, shouted over the music. Freddie lunged forwa
back as he was immediately swallowed by a crowd
heer, unadulterated humiliation of being completely e
he freezing liquid down her throat. The alcohol burned a harsh path down her esophagus, hitting her already frag
ce laced with genuine concern. "You suddenly look lik
ch gave a vicious, warning cramp, a sharp twis
etched her lips into a smile that didn't rea
king her head. "It's just incredibl
on where Arlo was holding court. "Are you sure? I saw him wa
ded brittle and thin. It was a s
r. "Allyson, we barely know each other anymore. We have absolu
the lie. She turned on her heel, her stil
rowd, heading straight for the dimly lit, secluded terrace at the back of the club
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