ra'

e started ringing before

r. I let it g

ails began pouring in. By noon, my inbox looked like the

mention even in my wildest daydreams w

. No

ne wore my face. They didn't kn

every sing

family corporation-the platinum em

out, she'd proba

-

ne at the base of the grand

but he'd come down with a sudden cold an

t, dressed in couture and diamonds, their laughter carrying t

lf beside two socialites-not randomly, of cours

attending tonight," one of them whispered-

ion. No one's ever seen her. Who knows if she even exists?

d po

taking a slow sip, pressing down t

versation was standing right beside t

t alone wa

s skimmed past me, they did so the way one mig

ow I pref

fresh my champagne-when a shif

n't a

ssure. The instinctive tightening you

invisible pull

e and

of rehearsed synchronic

ured. Her gaze swept across the ballroom before

r eyes

m

, her flawless smil

hed him follow her line of sight. His brow tightened slightly. He

ous warning had le

l didn't unde

her would only make

an a heartbeat before shrugging off hi

y. Conversations dipped. The crowd instinct

ne s

ryone w

rtaining at an event like thi

away, her voice cutting cleanly through the hall.

tedi

invitation from my purse. "Look carefull

f a second. Then she extended her hand, palm

it t

t her outst

smoothly to the side, and slipped it back into my purse, s

's name in bold script. Anyone wit

announce m

i

she thin

nt provocation. I kne

t gasps spread

d of stunned silenc

he sm

ngerous than anger. Ug

assessing a cheap counterfeit. "Impressive, Liora. Where did you get a forged

f I wouldn't respond

keep from frowning a

ou

len

finish. He stepped forward slightly

oug

oug

ord. The s

fferent d

in the air-but Kade's wa

olume. B

looked

urned. Inc

the parted crowd. I hadn't

a warm hand had sett

before his gaze locked onto Kade-whose e

Rowan

f she disturbs my companion aga