hundreds of eyes on her, dissecting her,

ugh a set of French doors onto an adjoining terrace. T

ing her throat. The alcohol didn't calm her; it only sharpened t

he ballroom. In a far corner, cloaked in shadow, a man st

posture radiated a quiet, unshakeable authority that was utterly at odds with the frantic energy

. He was a stranger. An anchor i

idea took root

d started walking toward him, her hee

ne balustrade, his movements economical and precise. He saw her coming, a vision in white agai

e was still in shadow, a collection of sharp angles and planes. She couldn't make out his featur

m him. Her voice came out

a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

laughter, for dismiss

your p

hed her, his stillness a stark contrast to her inn

low and deep, cut

pr

g, to bargain, to offer whatever it took. She hadn't

hesitate. He simply extended his

hesitation, she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. His arm was like steel benea

walked back int

fell over the part of the room nearest them. The silence

her, and on the tall, powe

th his father, slackened with shock. He instinctively straightened up, a pri

r silent partner directly to the

d final time that night. A triumphant sm

her voice ringing with victory. "I'm ho

o their neighbors, trying to place the identity of the mystery man. He was a complete unknown, yet he

wallowed poison. Their faces were a

ke's. She held his gaze,

voice dripping with sweet v

He simply stood there, a silent, formidable presence

ly tune. The party lurched back to life, but the atm

lebrate her bizarre victory. She lea

o," she

single, de

rong of stunned guests. People parted for them as they walked, their curio

epair, started to move toward t

a look at Blake. It was a cold, dismissive glance, utterly devoid of emotion

engine purring softly. It was understated, but Annabel rec

her. She slid onto the cool leath

b, leaving the lights, the music, and the