Carli

stepping into a marble hall thick with the scent of expensiv

the center of the room, sipping complimentary champ

over, hooking her arm through mine with a theatrical gasp. "Sw

e trench coat and the entry-level Apex Essence intern badge c

arm out of Chloe's grip as if adjusting my bag. "I came

faint purple hickey Declan had left on her collarbone last night. "Next month is your big

lock of ice. She wanted me to pay for a couture gown so she could

t smile. "You're right. Try on whateve

senior sales associate toward the central glass display

gown woven from rare arctic snow-wolf silk and set with thousands of t

"You have exquisite taste, madam! This is the only piece in the city this seas

actically sprinted into the VIP fitting room, tossing her

ofa, using the wide hem of my trench coat to sh

r, and within three seconds, my pre-programmed de

harging port, and watched the 4K video of her and Declan rutting in

nal command to enable remote holographic broadcasting, pul

elve seconds, and my breat

strutted out in high heels, twirling in front of the three-way mirr

aled, her face flushed with vani

face. "It's incredible, Chloe. It looks like it was sewn right

at the corner of her mouth. "Obviously! True class isn't s

eriously at the senior sales associate. "Cut the ta

er the hefty commission as she removed the security tag off th

slip on a small silver tray. "Madam, with tax, the total comes to one million two hundre

over her glittering bodice, and tilted her chin toward m

and slid the wireless card reader across the

she-wolves and socialites paused their browsi

hands tucked deep inside the pockets of

and Chloe's smile stiffened at the edges. "Viv

lips curving into a razor-sharp, mocking sneer.

"What did you just say? Didn't you tell me t

cold voice ringing through the quiet marble hall. "I told you

her hand freezing on the card reader as a wave of hu

ed skirt to lunge at me. "Are you screwing with me? You know I can't

panicked face, my eyes devoi