the scent of expensive perfume and ambition. Men in tailored tuxedos leaned in to whisper to w

te in his hand. His eyes kept darting to the top of the gra

a debutante. She kept her eyes downcast, playing the part of the demure younger sist

beside him, lowering his voice. "Just wat

would see him, lose her mind, and publicly refuse the arranged ma

empo, the music swelling in

eaving only a single spotlight f

ds of heads turned, their con

tepped int

s a shock of color against the white marble, clinging to her figur

His eyes darkened with a greedy hunger

ed through the quiet room, a steady, rhythmic heartbeat. She kept her chin

st, offering her a slow, confident smile. The

was a smile that held no warmth, only a chil

step back. The look in Annalise's eyes wasn't sisterly affection. It

d with goosebumps.

. Instead of turning toward the expectant

e head table, where her fathe

champagne, hovered in the air. He took a confu

s cheek. She murmured something in his ear, and Harrison Knowles beamed, his ch

place. The heiress.

ike a man who had just missed his cue. People were starting to g

able, his charming mask slipping. "Annalis

in a lively conversation with the senator's w

oad-shouldered security men stepped smoothly into her path. The

f them struggle from her peripheral vision. It was a mild

nter of the room. The champagne tower glittered unde

. He was standing near the balcony do

light, almost im

ture, his face unread