y quiet today,

at the gray sky beyond the glass. She hadn't even heard RAyNe enter, but there he

ged. "It'

her, his steps slow, deliberate, the kind that made her feel like prey.

?" His voice was deceptively

ened around the f

a stray curl behind her e

ing rather than deciding for her. She should h

only one thi

to see m

ir sh

simply watched her, his gaze as s

straightened, rolling h

blinked.

day?" His smirk was lazy, da

lip..relief, confusion, somet

kened slightly. "But firs

ned. "Sh

ewhere to take you tonight. Can

rself, her simple dress, b

ong with the way I

d deep, and something

ng her chin between his fingers. "You ha

that was supposed to be an art auction in a huge gallery, the

rip firm. "Smile, little dove. You're about

realized..her birthday w

re st

nd ballroom. Rayne St. Trinity turned his head slightly, locking eyes with

Zayd Al

is cufflinks. "Am I?" His

d with something between curiosity and chal

ndshake, his grip fir

between them, a silen

h. That Rayne St. Trinit

kew

ook a slow sip of his drink, his gaze flickering briefly to the woman a

na Ca

and smirked. "She's c

sion didn't ch

u won't mind i

is glass tightene

nfidence unwavering. "Ms. Castillo

row before offering him a p

kno

man like you is hard to

ened. "I shoul

and at the small of Nirvana's back. "She's not av

ou sound territor

evenly. "I don't

aist. "And I don't like men speaking for me," she murmured. Her eyes f

jaw ti

s eyes gleaming with tri

er arm through Zayd's, letting him le

ly, his patience h

t was far

ion began. Nirvana sat between Rayne and Zayd

king oil painting...a swirling storm o

tiful," sh

his voice low. "

ed, caught of

sh, Zayd raised his p

ed through

sive, but his grip o

d the gavel. "Sold to

, surprised. "You did

ked. "I w

ously soft. "Generous, a

mething is worth it, price is irrele

tem was unveiled...an exquisite diamond-encrusted necklace.

bil

le

ely held back excitement.

hen it was brought over, tu

e was polite.

e, her eyes kept flickering bac

e no

didn't

uction had come to an end, leaning down to Nirvana's

er eyes. "I'm no

d her, wa

a voice dripped with v

Look who we

s blood

rned s

fiancé,

had once been her best friend.

you think you could just disap

r fists. "I have no

plenty to say to you. Like how your father rot

s stomac

uld crawl back into high society? You're noth

pond, a strong arm wrapp

ce Z

take kindly to nobodies harassi

ed. "W-We w

"Leave. Before I mak

hesitated, then tur

d a shaky breat

air from her face. "Come."

le like them get under

"It's hard not to

e hell i

ce cut thro

in time to see Rayne s

e was m

Zayd's arm aroun