The Brutal Gamble

t on lies, Elen

pulled in different aspects of their lives, they cared less about verifying her identity and claims. Over time, she had made substantial gains through her schemes, but she was yet to hit her jackp

stant attempts to fix herself within

held quarterly, and it was indeed everyone's dream, except only the sele

ation to the security, who checked it against the guest list an

esigner gowns and hand tailored tuxedos. Elena adjusted the delicate crystal mask over her face, feel

dreams and walking among the sea of prestig

off the arrogance of old money. Elena knew how to play the game. Through constant practice, she had memorized every rule, every subtle cu

t worked. at least

g nothing to hide the raw magnetism pouring off him. He was danger clothed in velvet, tall,

r predators. Or maybe...

s, but she smiled in a well-practice

" he said, voice low enough, almost a

uel. They were... ju

he champagne between her fingers, "

t, dangerous soun

as she leaned closer. The smell of him... expensive cologne and som

secrets?" she whispered, leaning back

sk. "Maybe I like games." He cur

cide. She hadn't yet decided which this w

heat flicker in her gaze. She had to keep him guessing and appear d

se beat in

ery unsteady breath. The world blurred around them. Only

"I know the majority of people in this room, even with their masks on

d composed manner. "So, I easily fit into

her reply. "That was a sma

," she continued, "how are you able to recognize

not a

the rim of her champagne glass. "Yo

down with deliberate c

e, tracing the sharp line of his jaw

ifted the bottom half of his mas

'm somebody." she whispere

on, a dare, and then harder, hungrie

her closer. His mouth moved over hers with a viol

dom, it was everything she

two strangers clinging to the only

her skin, Elena grabbed his hand and led him through

top to breathe. She yanked his jacket off his shoulders. His hands fisted in the thin fabric of her gown, shoving it up, up,

d real. Continuously passed

no rules, no conse

ate gasps filled the room. His body fit against hers like he'd been

nd aching and overwhelming. Elena cr

't sweet. It was a claimi