Gilded Lies

indows glowing faintly gold in the dying light. Emilia Rossi stepped out of the

idn't flinch, didn't falter. The slit in her crimson dress teased up her

ed before she

sed in black like he was mourning. "Mr

urse

aged leather, expensive cologne, and something subtler-gunpowder, maybe. The v

now,

t two towering

tler murmured, then v

sitate. She push

key rested near his hand. The fireplace crackled behind him, casting shadows acros

r like a fist-power

late,"

ng toward the chair opposite him. "B

pa

ifted. Not quite a smile. More

ed toward

about our

ately showing off the slit in her dress. "You wan

e whiskey in his glass. "But you'l

ess fall in love with me, make your enemies underestimate me, and make your allies jeal

g her like a puzzle he was

There will be media appearances. Dinners. Kisse

asked, voice like silk

ect silence," he s

ething different in his worl

nd monthly deposits after. A wardrobe budget. Je

stared at h

blin

like

e business of

thal. He came around the desk and stoppe

o wear a target. My enemies will see you as a weakness

e without flinc

ed away, tossing a f

. Sign it. We go publi

. The terms were strict. Clauses about discretion, pu

lements outside of

sm

la

. The danger. The pull. And she ha

d a faded scar across her ribs, hidden beneath silk. A

her name

ndro was watching her. Not

calcu

the east wing," he sai

she asked

thing away

erately brushing her shoulder against his arm. Jus

ack as the doors

smile

e game