Billionaire Gambit

elina S

he was, ghostly from my past standing across the room. My pulse skipped; the a

polished flooring, the hum of voices like a far-off whisper.

he keen precision of a guy who'd found his place in the world. His black tuxedo fit him well, but it was

legs moved before I could stop them. I tried to tell

onnected again, and I felt that tug, the one I c

eli

through the cacophony around us. His eye

name, not sure what to

is greeting, only the fa

've found y

in that cage, aren't you?" His voice softened, the words stinging deeper than

but I knew the lie taste

presence overwhelming, but

from all those years ago-the way it felt when we were together, without bound by anything except our own wants. The freedom.

nd you here, Selina. B

act that I was already feeling like I'd lost control again. His eyes softened, the verge of a smile pulling at his lips. "I've m

taking a step back,

e here, Luca.

g sharply on the marble floor. She was dressed in a deep red gown that screamed confidence,

risp, rehearsed. She glanced from Luca to me, her gaze

r things in life, Selina." I didn't answer, but I felt my gut twist. This woman... she knew. I could tell by the way her

sence, but his posture tensed

had an agenda. She always had. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, Carina placed a hand on Luca's arm, her touch uncomfortably intimate. I could feel the sudden shift in the air between us. My chest clenched, a sensation of betrayal pouring through my veins. Luca di

even noticed him approach. His hold tightened, his f

ed to Luca and Carina. I couldn't breathe. "Nothing," I murmured,

." I glanced to Luca, who stood there, mute and unreadable. His eyes were dark, but there was no fear in them. Only the cold kno

anywhere, Selina. Not until we talk about this." But Luca rushed forward before I could say anything else. "You'll talk about it when you're ready, Mike," he said, his voice surprisingly steady. Mike turned to face him, his gaze steely,

econd. And Luca... Luca was still there. Still haunting me. Still the one person who knew me. And I didn't know what to do. I

m blurring around me. I could hear Mik

't-" But I d

feel eyes on me. Judging me. Watching me. I didn't

ay, breathless. My he

out of nowhere

oic

uc

lin

lipping out of

was something there-something I couldn't fat

you want

ing. His face softened,

what I want

ound echoed down the corridor.

tur

dows front of

rk crept o

t then, that nothin