li

The windows of my high-rise office offered a sweeping view of it all, an empire of glass and concrete, money and power, but none of it felt satisfying anymore. Not the

spotless. My assistant had left my schedule printed neatly beside my coffee, which had long since gone c

ce. He didn't, but he was one of the few people who coul

face, and knew before he even said a word t

said dryly, "I'm guessing

ets, always relaxed, always amused. "Six years,

nd

et her go, Julian. You're getti

eyes for a second. My temples throbbed.

ttered. "At first, I was betrothed to Katia. Then they swi

e. You're the Windsor heir. People e

I don't even know wh

not a love match. You're marrying her for your

Grandma..."

laying Phantom King in Vegas and chas

d not

ne. "Well, since you're marrying Delia Kensingt

igner clothes, overpriced cocktails, vacations in Bali and Saint-Tropez, and the kind of artificial smiles you see on departm

my type,"

ed. "Keep

nd then

ling in the usual way. It wasn't for the camera. She wasn't performing. She wasn't posing. There was something distant in her expression, l

my type," I

The one you were or

rnet, yes," I muttered,

. "Just another

saying the face looks familiar, that's all.

arp, even to my own ears. The tru

hen go on. "The pilot told me we were making out in the chopper," I added, voice low. "Said there were stains, blood on the sea

n his chair. "Still can't bel

temple. "Your idea of a bachelor send-o

t's slander. She w

gally married to a woman I couldn't describe to a pol

nder, the usual grin on his face f

him a c

"I'm just saying... she's b

n on the desk with deliberate control.

d an eyebr

t looking

than I liked. Zane didn't speak. Maybe

e real. The license. The ring. The night. It all happened. She married me. My pilo

rug. "Maybe she does

ou don't forget getting married in Veg

ayed

not to come fo

a private jet and a hard-on," Zane said. "Let's be real, J

ttered. "I

in the world. "Anyway. You should go home. Your

"I'll tell her I

the door. "Y

t his. "De

dded and left, mumbling under his b

tan. The streets were small from up here, ants mo

of a voice I couldn't place. Hands on my skin. A

. She was gone. And the worst par

e street, and I wouldn't eve

. A detail. A sound. A name. But there was nothing. Just the fla

fuck

clenched tight. She was

ft. I didn't care what name she went by

t was one simple,

was

r, I'd find her. Even if I

headed for the door.