ces, especially not ones wrapped in red s

and ballroom, his

sked intentions. Yet, she stood out-not just for her beauty, though that was undeniable-but because she looked

ingling. She

tors when he saw them.

he could feel his eyes on her-the infamous Cassian Wolfe-his reputation preceding him like a shado

she'd imagined from headlines and Maya's br

ence drew a quiet reverence, like everyone around him was aware of

thing unspoken crackled i

ad learned to conceal far more than they revealed. He made his way toward

. She had practiced this-watched interviews, rehearsed

e time to

asked, arching a brow as

th like dark velvet. "Most of the

a smirk. "Is that a c

said. "I don't be

"But I've read about you. Cassian Wol

you

her hand. "

ls her hacker friend had created. The i

ing. His skin was warm, his presence disarming in a wa

t was a note in a melody he wasn't sure h

a flicker of warmth into her v

is expression unreadable, as if tryin

les danced, glasses clinked. But for a moment

dance?"

ion of a second too long, t

the mission. She reminded herself of Maya's scars. Of ev

about charm,