d feeling

, creeping sensation that curled around my ribs and set

ning tonight, it w

no way t

se to go? Lock myself in my room and pretend I

o

d the truth, I had

ess &

ack silk gown was d

ith a slit that ran dangerously high along my thigh. The

my mind that Damian

d it. This wasn't a date. This wasn't real. I was going to th

ing

ng ready, a driver was alrea

ped outside, Da

a tailored tuxedo that fit him like sin, his sha

nt, he sai

to something that wasn't quite a s

up well,

stare didn't make my skin heat. "I coul

pened, but he

ened the car d

d. Just fo

unknowingly stepping deeper

A Game o

t a private estate j

alls, where people sipped champagne like water an

tepped inside, ever

weight of their curios

an's most ruthless, untou

mance, and I ha

an placed a hand on my lower back, guiding me

, aren't you?" I murm

ainst the small of my

said smoothly. "Pe

as he said, pasting on my best adoring fiancée

ayed the part, m

didn't know wh

en-I s

se, dressed in a sharp navy suit, his

Ster

e before Damia

st friend. His

who had ever trul

lry & Th

ached, I felt the tens

but edged with something darker. "Y

mained unreadable. "So

to me. "And you must

olite smile. "

k to Damian. "I have to say, this is unexpe

itched slightly.

d, but his eyes rema

poken passed

I didn't u

d question it, Luca

htly. "So tell me, Alexis-wha

ed. "Ex

e drink in his hand. "Money? Or did he final

se stu

ightly against my waist

gaze locked on mine. Re

voice quiet now. "You think you've made a deal with a busi

oat we

happened, Lucas smiled, lift

your ev

way, disappearin

words

er been

xpression was already locked

was that abou

e he coul

hts fli

ey went out

ballroom, followed by the

lights kicked on, casting th

eam cut thro

nd that sent ice stra

the source, my

's when

wo

ble floor, her dres

h her, glistening u

d just bee

could react, Dami

," he said, vo

arely h

had locked ont

far more t

written in deep

a

n