with the other members of the press. Sloane gave her a subt

st shared an elevator with," E

ed excitement. "Who? Don't tell me it

ce drew everyone's attention. The spotlights s

linging to his arm. They looked like the golden

ed display of victory. She made a point of flashing the new, obsce

arm of a man born to privilege, completely obli

ere was no pain left, only a cold, clinical detachment.

he younger Knight girl? What is she doing with La

. "Madam,my apologies, there seems to have been a mistake with the seat

section with Sloane. But causing a scene was not p

er into the heart of the ballroom, toward the main

recessed, offering a perfect view without being the

cupying the chair next to

from the elevator.

w, deliberate nod, almost a greeting between equals. And for just a moment, the corner of his mout

face impassive as she sat down. What was

ius's bodyguard, Nash Tucker, stood with the same waiter who had just escorted her. Nash gave the man a brief, almost imperceptible nod-the kin

ed his lips, his eyes met hers. For the briefest moment, a glint stirred in those dark, inscrutable depths-a

waiter, the bodyguard-everything had been arranged. But by whom? For what p

rd to be distracted. Tonight was about Landon and Seraphina.

mile faltered, his face tightening with a mixture of shock and guilt. Serap

ing down to hiss at her. "Elba? When di

chillingly blank. "Do I need to repo

houlder and feigning sweet concern. "Sister, you're back!

een touched by a snake. The rejection w

liquid in his glass. His expression remained unreadable, but his eyes

Eleanor Sterling. She saw the scene and her perfectly made-up face h

ang through the ballroom. The host took t

leading Seraphina back to their front-row table.

She had time. She signaled a passing waiter and took a glass of champagne, drinking half of it in one long

thing, but she felt his gaze flick to her glass, then