deception, and danger, Elira had

allroom surrounded by criminals. A

he orchestra caught a wrong note but kept playing. Hi

oothly, voice like poisoned

ved in a weaponized smile. "Mr. Roth. Or should

l so sharp-tongued

ned, but she di

hosting auctions d

n't supposed to die with the rest of your lega

e steel behind silk. "And it seems

ep closer. "

inked.

ay games.

didn't flicker, but her heart was sp

ded in the security detail under a false

to recoil. Instead, she let him lift her fingers to his

d, eyes raking over

ged to my

mother, the young woman must now put it

d closer. "I've already won, Roth.

ce buzzed in

the weapons tonight, right after the gala. We

ht bow, gliding toward the rear balcony like she was catchi

aiting, dressed in full tactic

ay?" he

ow. "He touched my hand. I

he most romantic sta

private convoy was already preparing to leave. Maya had cracked the destination-it wasn't a sh

xchanged her heels for boots. C

retending,

ore m

depot -

d of rust, oil

marked with unregistered serial numbers and radiation sym

ind a column besid

ered. "But most are drones. Automated response

"Then we breach

last breath and

being a hidden heiress and became

d her pen

s, Crimson oper

ms muffled by gunfire. Elira moved with Cassian at her back, clearing

rang through

Do you think this

d by his two specialized bodyguards,

her gun. "It

aid, smiling

a button

cargo compartments hissed ope

tag

dren. Drugg

a fr

. And now the world will see you as the woman who attacked an

nded on her shoul

ou choose. Do we fig

es nar

ot

eamed th

anonymous press servers. Everything-Roth's confession

utes, the worl

ape chopper was grounded

zerny Palace was r

Vexley

ot over. But

ve been staged. De Vries was in custody. The foundations were seized

ning his weapon. Elira approached, we

it took to keep me here," she

t every

kno

t her, war sti

over?"

ut it's ours now. The Vexley

nod

d u

t before you almost died. Twice. I think th

-low, roug

take