was a steel band around Aleah's waist, guiding her do

s chest. She could feel the steady, powerful beat of his heart agai

l away, a small,

"Want everyone to know you're a liar?" he mu

no choice. She was his captive, and

r inside. In the confined, mirrored space,

lly found her voice. It came out as a dry r

lips. "Are going to a party. As my 'girlfriend

dangerous game wasn't ov

space even more private and lavish than the VIP area b

eact, steering her directly

Aleah tucked securely at his side, a brief, stunned silence

ailored suit asked, his eyes raki

sture for all to see. "Aleah," he said simply. The sing

offered the crowd a tight, polite smile. She felt l

pproaching to greet him. With each interaction, he kept her cl

ed her as a buffer, a shield to deflect advances from social

ield. And she, the liar who had served hersel

ver her. As long as she was usefu

in conversation, she would offer a demure smile or stand qui

. A flicker of approval, mixed with

ass of champagne. "Not a bad perf

inst his. She met his gaze, her own voice a so

ound. He leaned closer, the words a lover's murmur.

way, taking a large gulp of champagne

, went straight to her head. Her face flushed, and the g

stand tall beside him, but her mind

row furrowed as he discreetly placed a ha

n short. "It seems my

n arm around her, half-supporting, half-ca

on her skin, of being bundled into the plush leather backseat of a luxury car. Her last coherent thought