ter

ra's

t pounded as I approached the building. The sidewalk buzzed with the hurried footsteps of Midtown's elite, and every instin

ected-polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a sense of exclusivity that made my palm

a'am. Do you hav

t smile. "I'm here

ver. "Mr. Gray doesn't take walk-ins. D

leaning in slightly. "I just

firm smile. "I'm afraid that won't

A: Fa

aced as I moved toward the lounge area, where a few patrons sip

ent, composed, and oblivious to the idea of being questioned, he also looked kind of familiar but I brushed it off. Without

side and pressed a random floor. He got

let out a shaky breath. "Now or

avy wooden doors. Voices and faint laughter echoed from one of the rooms, bu

ommanding presence that made me take an involuntary step back. He was dressed in a tailor

he said, his voi

the words caught in my throat. Som

I

arrowing. "You don't belo

said quickly, trying to regain

as no humor in it. "Lucas Gray doesn't meet wit

htening my posture. "Aurora Thomps

ey this morning?" he interrupte

stunned. "H

one who knows how to dig for information, Miss Thompson. But let me

anded, my voice shar

d he extended a hand.

caught by his, name was practically synonymous with power in this city. He wasn't ju

ted, unsure h

en I didn't take it. "But boldness won't get you far in my world.

dead this morning. I believe he's connected to the Blackstone Club

nge, but something flickered i

," he said after a moment. "Do you have a

id, though the tremor

rvingly calm. "Fear isn't the prob

. I know this club isn't just a social gathering. People like you don't gather f

ld, calculating look. He stepped close

ly above a whisper. "I admire that. But dete

e, but I refused to back

ne lightening as he stepped b

ing footsteps echoed down the corridor. Julia

you insist on sticking your nose where it doesn't belong..." He paused a glint of s

asked, but he was

he said over his shoulder,

lian Blackstone was right-I was playing with fir

ng to walk a

ne and typed a quic

s more than he's letting on. T

man in the alley? What was the Blackstone Club hiding? And, most importantly,

in way over my head. But th