Velvet Chain

life, but nothing had prepared her for the moment she walked into the wr

ury catering company, pouring overpriced champagne for Manhattan's elite in heels

ed up in a tight bun. The manager barely spared her a glance before barking instructions. She followed, clipboard in hand, down polished halls lined with

erve, smile, and

ld do i

mid-step. Swearing under her breath, she ducked out of the ballroom to find a quiet corner and regroup.

d hobbled dow

ed the w

world

and surrender. The lighting was dim, casting everything in gold and shadows that flickered like whispered lies. Velvet drapes hung from the ceiling, thick and heavy, muffl

ica f

like anything s

. But not like at

. The men were in tailored suits, their jackets open just enough to reveal hints of muscle beneath crisp shirts. The women wore silks and satins

s that held her in place.

d trust as a voice whispered promises and commands in her ear. Another couple danced slowly, impossibly close, his hand gripping the back of her neck

n't a

thing far m

en he

tood watching. No mask. No drink. Just sti

it, he had the kind of presence that made the air bend around

's heart

she hadn't seen anything. But she didn't. She couldn't.

but her heel caught in the r

en he

st

ot

see the flecks of silver in his midnight eyes, the precise cut

supposed t

s deep. Smoo

g to step back, but her b

ut, catching he

eady. Co

sped i

dn't

c, something darker, more curious stirred. The man's grip was not just about control

I didn't mean

d to her name t

he said her name-it wasn'

ave," she

didn'

ou wa

inked.

t to leave,

shivers down her spine, each

didn't have

dn't want to return to the clinking glasses and fake smiles. Not when ther

what this is,"

irk curved

eople who crave con

roat w

he asked, his voi

hest rose. "

aid. "Then y

Her manager would be looking for her. Her tips would be docked. She couldn't

go," she

n't release her w

inked.

Tomorrow.

go, slowly, like a secret being released. Then

d frozen, hea

e hell

e already know

-

ext M

idn't

coul

way he'd looked at her

wa

ight diner and pulled out her phone. Her fingers hovered over the s

e pop

en C

blin

art st

stared at the screen as a sick

iona

E

lus

lli

ger

man who'd held he

as the man behind it. The one whose company funded

foundation she'd just su

s stomach

n't just

he power to decide whether

cide

ething

ruthless business deals, of people bending to his will-willin

eath c

-

Night –

dress borrowed from her ex-roommate and heels held to

own, she k

apped in the velve

-

lk in like he'd been

ut her-the fire in her eyes, the way her lips trem

Owned them, even.

would be

ould break

maybe... she'd

-

fading behind them. He stopped only inches from her. The hea

mooth as silk, dark as sin. "You wear defiance like a secon

opened her mouth to retort-b

ances. You've wandered into my worl

pulled out a small black enve

w. Noon. If you'r

, the thick matte pap

t is

smile. "An invitation... or a contr

turned and vanished into the crowd, leavi

d down at the

itched to

cts scream

body? He

red one dan

ure she want