amond shimmer sharply, every champagne glass glow golden. The air was perfumed with money, ambition, and

e thrive

ey saw him coming-some with admiration, some with envy, many with thinly veiled fear. Jason caught the whispers and let

sn't on the sea of eager f

g, she stood with two other women. Jason didn't know her name yet,

ls, louder gowns, hungrier eyes. But she carried herself differently. There was no desperation in her smile, no calculated gl

himself watc

gh, smooth but edged with amusement. Jason didn't turn

his whiskey, gaze sti

histle. "Ah. So it begins. Thought you said tonig

y looked at

the past ten minutes like she's your next acquisition. Word of advice,

irked. "

t right there is why people call you reckles

families ruined in the wake of Jae Enterprises. He always said Jason was too ruthless, too blind to the trail

the room, Jason felt something strange stir in him.

was

d not k

onversations. He had mastered the art of appearing engaged while his mind was elsewhere. Toni

ss. "The brunette near the east display," Jason said casuall

rks as an art curator here in New York. She's attending as a g

nothing in his memory, but the cadence was pleasing. Ligh

ved on, rolling the name

blonde friend had said. The sound didn't carry, but Jason could imagin

ow you have a name. What next? Don't te

His drink was finishe

ssed t

hased him, opportunities bent toward him, and power fell into his hands. And yet here

d glimmers. Her hair was dark, falling in waves that framed a face more striking the longer he looked-cheekbones sharp, eyes alive

e recalled from introductions vaguely, spotted him. He

tugging on Gigi's arm. "I was jus

tur

awed. Just...curious, maybe faintly wary, as though she w

rner of his mouth

said smoothly,

shook his hand briefly, then released it as though

row him off balance. Most p

, "do you always stand out in a ro

into a smile. "Do you alway

sharp, delivered without hesitation. He couldn't reme

steps away, groaned

t rehearsed," he said.

he took a sip of champagne, eyes not leaving h

She seemed perfectly content not to chase it, and yet she

not uncomfortable. Jason was used to filling silences, to

head politely. "It was n

her friend, dismissin

No one turned away from him. Not wit

ried the intrigue under business and whiskey. But

into the background. She th

idn't allow

as he walked back to Bobby. "You're n

rous words, my friend. You

red on her across

he w

chest told him that once