thed in amber mood lighting, heavy with the scent

veral scions of Manhattan's elite families were already gathered, includi

, raising a glass of Macallan. "And who is t

uffing out with pride as he settled onto the leather sofa, pul

intoxicated by the attention, and

tanding at the e

r. "Hold onto this, Chloe. And grab a club soda from the bar. Don't

under their breath, exchan

epped toward the brass counter, entirely unfazed. She ordered sparkl

of stilettos appro

ble bar beside her, her bloodshot eye

oke an antique decanter over my head, you bitch

s glare. "Your skull seems remarkably thick, Jenna. The St. Regis sta

ng, orphan. You think you won? I have private investigators pulling the ext

ontrolled thud, but her expres

bought the shift logs from the valet. I have the burner number you were texting earlier. The moment I match the plates of

ing actionable, Jenna, you would have already played it. You're bluffi

into her pocket. "Am I?

ure materialized in the shadows near the pri

hway, his dark suit blending into the wood paneling, his

05

was w

hout another word, stepping past t

uted from the booth, slurring her words as she lea

d not lo

uard stationed near the restrooms, slipping a folded hundred-dollar