He's Good at Being Bad

Valeska's mansion began w

ounger man named Evan. Mid-twenties, sharp suit, ea

ctations for the week," he said, handing Reina a le

" she said flatly, flip

lied, "you're

lance

Cold. Calculated. But now, suddenly, he has a companion. Someone sweet. Beautifu

ign up to p

sign anyth

per contract. Just an unspoken deal sealed b

eaned

ng. Be forgettable. Don't ask questio

in the eye. "Thanks for the tip. Do you rehearse t

ood. "You're brave. I

eant. She had a feeling

s companion" was at a private charity gala hel

ed like stars, men in tuxedos with voices dipped in champagne and condescension. And a

his arm when she a

speak to h

of champagne, his fingers closed

under his breath. "No

bit it back. This wasn'

he s

fec

ke

ps behind him like

rl," a voice drawle

angs hidden in it. She was stunning-tall, blonde, dressed in silver silk. O

said, offer

was made of glass. "I knew Nikolai's type had changed,

nked. "Ex

offended. You're lovely. But you're

ot a s

ing. You'

ed in Reina's throat,

d sweetly, "but at least I

t for a flicker. Then her smile s

she said, turning away.

ide home

he entire evening-not when people whispered behind their glasses, not when r

ever, wa

ehind them, she stepped out of the car, ready

ndled h

ned. "V

was my fiancée.

t ended with blo

ended when I realized she

Reina asked. "A

r, heading toward

what you are," he said.

the edge of her bed, st

gnized the girl

ir. The glittering earrings tha

, one layer at a time

th it, she still

t, there was a soft

is

he garden," she said.

heart

ho

ad already

inding halls, past the gallery of locked doors and

was tall, broad-shouldered, wit

ina," he s

eath h

ac

der. "Still

disbelief-and threw h

ho taught her how to pick the lock on Madame Cora's pantry. The boy who pr

here were shadows under his eye

doing here?"

said. "About the sale. About

n her throat. "Jace, you can't

aid. "I'm not leavin

n't und

"This man-this world you're in-it's no

he said. "I did it

ou!" he growled. "I

" she cut in. "I couldn

a long moment. Then som

nged," he s

had

ore he could see th

" she whispered.

sed. "You're not staying i

didn't

fountain, listening to the sound of

idn't

cause

in the mansion, she kne

ne thing she was s

ska didn't l

e was waiting for h

ng you?" he asked without lo

ropped. "It w

let him t

forward. "Are

"You don't get to let ghosts fro

't invi

n't send him

w tighten. "I'm n

worse. You're a liabili

ward him. "The

the paper. "Not yet. Yo

. You're not angry because of Jace. You're

air

onto hers, dar

ped toward her.

hispered. "One call. One

didn't

, you want to see what I'll choose. Him... or

n't de

n't ne

nt, they both knew s

ust a transac

as a

of them plan