ney. Chandeliers the size of small cars hung from the ceil

e it was a life raft. Or an anch

d a few steps ahead of them, parting the

Ever corrected

brushing her ear. "Stop correcting him. It makes you look inse

e of her cheek. It

es who looked at her with disdain and the husbands who looked at her wit

osphere in th

pressure. The crowd near the entrance parted

walk

skin. But unlike the soft, doughy men of Wall Street surrounding them, this

nce F

th hitched.

those eyes-deep, warm brown like polished mahogany-were the same. T

asn't looking for busines

locked

oar. He didn't smile. He didn't wave. He just stared, a

walking t

ent rigid. He stepped slightly in fro

ce ice cold. "I didn't think the

mpletely. His eyes were glued to Ever's face, tracing e

is voice was deep, grave

me with a strange i

loser to Clarence. The tension was palpabl

le. "Your companion looks... familiar. Remind

fall forward to hide her face. "I

id softly. He extende

e would be a scene. She reac

ensive suit. As he gripped her hand, his thumb brushed

nal they used at the orphanag

her hand awa

wrapped an arm around her shoulders,

azier. Find your o

The threat hung in the a

flustered. "Garrick! The Senato

. He glared at Clarence. "Niles. Stay with her

ay, but he looked

Niles was five feet away, scannin

eared with a

ntleman in the corner,

s a single Red

iar and champagne. But it was her favorite. It was the only

, in the shadows, Clarence rai

He knew e

pushed the tray away

ents later. He saw t

n't eat sweets," h

. "Whatever. Let's g

cided. He grabbed her arm,

dows, Ever couldn't he

ught her eye. He didn't spea

e

r. Ever stumbled. Garrick caught her, prac

backseat and slammed th

rled, leaning over her. "Don't