ab

ined light down on velvet-draped tables, champagne flutes clinked lik

ey just wore them in diamonds

k velvet mask hid half my face, but I felt exposed in every other way. Eyes found me-me

tingly rich and rotten, and I had just

an I'd bribed at the Whisper Club. An elite-only gala at the private

onight, I was danger wrapped in silk, lips painted the color of blood, wearing

by the firepla

dictable. He liked brunettes with confidence and legs that didn't

s seat

ght off guard,

anymo

ed me ch

t. He asked me my name-I gave him one th

atched me like he was trying to pl

in the circl

rculate quietl

nt. With two glasses of Dom in him, he started talking about Brinchfort business-the kind that never made headlines. Offshore accounts. Silent partners in unst

om the information, but f

on

uchable. Until tonight I s

don Brinchfort. Standing at the top of the stairs like a carved shadow, dressed in black

over my cheek. Don't see me. Not yet. But th

e," Caden

n wants

I stood

, expression calm, spine straight, heart screaming. He was waiting by the gallery entrance

" I said softly, chan

Volk

can by bad luck." He didn't

we m

, lethal, unforgettable.

y," I said, ti

heard...

idn't blink. Then

n't a

ng the estate. The night air was cold, but I burned under his gaze. "You don't belong here," he said flatly. I raised

e you are-pla

n his eyes-recognition? Anger? A memo

you always chase ghos

e of someone,

compliment o

. Did she

like a dare

's not fin

ass. His hand moved slightly-like he wante

the broken girl who poured wine over her head while the worl