that covered Ayla from collarbone to ankle. Victo

g with the low hum of expensive conversation. Waiters with silver trays wove through the crowd

nk in his hand. He looked up as Ayla a

grip was tight, possessive but devoid of wa

rners of her mouth

at cut through the chatter. Spencer frowned.

r, dragging her with hi

orld tilted

nings sto

like a fresh wound against the muted tones of the foyer. The dress was back

k. His face softened in a way she hadn

at him, though. She looked straight at Ayla. Her eyes

la asked, the words tumbling

ited her, of course. Chloe is the new consultant for

e bile. Everyone knew. Victoria knew. The staff k

and ambition. "I borrowed him for three years," she whispered against Ayla's ear, her voice

e rug. She flailed, grabbing a pedestal table to s

her elbow to steady her. "For G

he

Go check on the kitchen

to Chloe. Chloe took it, shooting a smirk ov

ts pretended not to see, turning their backs to sip thei

announced, his voice carrying a note o

t silent. Ac

. No. It c

ened, and Julian S

tuxedo that fit him like a second skin, black on black. He didn't look like he belonged in a ballro

, his gaze predator

rt hammering against her ribs like a trapped

rward with a sycophantic grin Ayla despised.

ian said. His voice was deep, car

shed. "Truly. Come, let me i

's outstretched hand. His eyes continued their

la's lungs tu

t toward her. The crowd par

hen scrambled to catch up. "

k. Up close, he was even more devastating. The harsh lights of the chand

et," Jul

of unease crossing his face. "Ayla? You

," Ayla

eated. He held out hi

She reached out. Her

ulfed her hand, his grip firm. And then, with his thumb, he delib

ure. A reminder of where those ha

econd too long. Just enough for her to feel th

," Henderson anno

ased Ayla.

ia, placing Julian at the head of the table as the guest of honor. Ayla was

ightmare a

ved-some sort of cold so

of silverware. "I heard your mother is back in the hospital. Must be

r that Ayla was a charity case. That she came from a

n, staring at the sou

st be hard for you to keep up with this lifesty

Spencer didn't defend Ayla. He

retort, but her throat

background refreshing

swirling his wine glass. He wasn't loo

hey aren't," Julian said, his eyes flicking to Spencer

. Spencer shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable. You d

ice dropping, intimate and dangerous. "A certain

lass to Ayla. "

e, it wasn't from shame. It was from the

throat. "Yes, well

k. Juli

able, Ayla's le