la arrived like a s

her curves like it was made for war-not romance. The fabric shimmered un

ear red to l

Damon-and everyone e

t as she finished c

red, adjusting his cufflinks with that pr

nded on her

cracked. His gaze darkened, slow

well," he sa

Did you expect me

"But I didn't

a stare that said more tha

ltures waiting," she s

away, she could still f

+

allroom-gold-trimmed, candlelit, a

amon's hand slid around her waist like muscle memory. She smiled fo

. Politicians, CEOs, and old-money soc

harmed a group of donors. He was a master at it-laughing at the

n't watchin

watchi

in his posture. The way his fingers tightene

g his hand. "I've been dying to meet

tly. "I don't think an

glance-hard to re

tions, she pulled him aside. "You kno

And yet they all sh

wer," she said

they're the

mouth to reply, bu

m-graceful, poised, sipping r

art st

fore. In photos. Framed

nor

s dead

turned to ice

e-and for the first ti

o Ariana and sai

e it

+

home was thic

ing out the window, tryi

tly like her," s

d, jaw tight. "My mother

who is

dn't

, keep secrets, smile in photos, but yo

ting you,"

m wh

ou're not ready

"You don't get to deci

first, slamming the door behind him. Ariana follo

face him. "I saw her.

breathing hard. Then he stepped

And if you're smart, Arian

hard. "You c

he said. "I'm tryin

+

ght, Ariana c

om, her mind spinning w

sn't Eleanor...

n look terrified

ituaries. Old board meeting notes. Every mention of

tween Eleanor's "death" and

eral p

h certi

where she

rembled as she c

ust hiding bus

hidin

was... it had power. En