His Forbidden Obsessions

nter of the grand ballroom, poised, watching, waiting. Tonight was

pressed against my spi

hesitation.

of power, unaware that by the end of the night, his e

d swirling like molten gold. The music swelled, chatter rippling through t

rawled. "I almost d

ing it like a cruel promise. He approached with the same arrogance that

d, feigning mild interest

just for a fractio

ished floor. "You always did love an audience, didn't you?" I mus

The next move was already in motion. A whispered word to the right ear. A well-plac

ckened, and Marcus's face paled as the murmurs started, growing louder, sharper. I w

as strangled, fury

ful, Marcus. You're look

f a public denouncement, whispered

in its path. And as Marcus stood there, humiliated, stripped of the

nt, I felt it-a presence, watching, anal

haos, his gaze locked onto me. But it wasn't

hing far mor

eady but laced with something deepe

zed. "Was it? Or

t reaching me before his w

yet, I didn't flinch. "Sh

ed. "This isn't

hang between us. "B

angerous pull I refused to acknowledge. And yet, my breath

ying with f

as electric, suffocating. The past and present tangled, bl

cut of music. A sharp inta

r had enter

hrouded in the dim glow of the chandeliers. The room had frozen. Conversati

las G

expression to remain unreadable. He

Nicholas said, his voice calm, but it

y brow. "I

s grew colder. He studied me with those

g every possible outcome. And that meant he had alre

ent a thrill

r real target, was

berate. "I suppose you'

ze. A warning. A challenge. I had thrown the first strike, but Nicholas wa

intensity that threatened to set me ablaze. His eyes flicked

Or something fa

dn't

ire. Now, I would w

n yet ever-present. A new player. A wildcard. And as I rais

ers, the stolen glances, the barely restrained satisfaction from those who had wa

gaze burning into me as I

ilent reminder that my actions had consequences. And then, there w

The first piece had fallen, bu

ention now," a voic

ved on secrets and wielded information like a blade

ou know what

e, unwavering

ng. One moment, it belonged to you; the next, it was slipping thr

ar-Damian Cross, Alexander's most prominent rival. He was dangerou

oward him. The next move had to be perfect. If I wanted to

eyes followed my every st

ferent kind of game was being played. Power shifted subtly, alliances w

notice. Instead, I leaned in slightly as Damian whisper

lyn, I'm impressed. Y

eeping my voice low. "I d

his glass. "Then con

cking eyes with Alexander across the room. His expression was unreadable,

o

victory, another shift in t

didn't like. He was dangerous because he never revealed his hand too

war brewing beneath the surface. I knew I h

turned away from Damian, from Nicholas, from the watching eyes of