xedos. Glass clinked. Perfume floated like whispers between conversations. Laughter, soft and restraine
taine didn't care
is glass while pretending to listen to the man beside him talk about some art exhibit in Vienna. His lips cu
hing. Quietly.
hey fo
dinators. He wore midnight black, every thread of his suit crafted with subtle silver embro
n that usual half-line-too serious, too elegant. But he looked composed,
gered longer tha
ckly, biting the i
e you?" the man beside hi
a soft laugh. "No.
t his drink down and let his fingers run across the smooth m
iced the details-the subtle shift in his eyes when he was bored, the way his
ed Maddox more
alo's s
ned slightly, already knowing who it was. Maddox had a way
ing edge slipping into his tone wi
hed. "Not my job. T
tly. "You really k
eel small. He didn't order anything. Just stood there, too comfortable in his silenc
Soren asked eventually, swirli
om once, slow. "Just watching. It
at him. "And w
k at him directly
t's called being social, M
ddox said.
n his voice. Just somethi
around his glass. Then he masked it with
aid noth
n them naturally. They'd always been like this-close in a way that didn't need explanati
ed that too. Only some
t?" Soren asked, changing the subject. "The one with t
ent. "Too heavy. She co
w. I m
look from Maddox. Not s
it was imp
d. "But she looked unforg
loser now. "Sometimes I wonder if you wa
ad. "Worship looks
et for a mom
oked awa
now, a few socialites waving toward Soren. One calle
smile faded the moment
taring. Just... observing. As if try
gainst the side of his glass. "So, are we leav
. "You decide.
ddly-made
ask something, then thought better of it. After a pause,
and too still. You might ge
ow. "Then stop dre
st smiled faintly and
ed him go. H
that white satin that hugged every right place. The golden lighting made his skin
sibly. Not enough for anyon
beside him. Where he had to watch from a distance as stranger
uldn't
s. Always had be
at's what So
gestured, how he laughed too politely when someone said something not e
he sa
h a little too much confidence. His hand landed casually on Soren's lower back, fin
tightened ar
but he was used to it, there was a slight shift in his e
ever it was made Soren raise a brow, smile, and tilted his head, but he didn'
ox m
ne. Didn't charge fo
, still and silent, and let his eyes lo
Calm.
k.
n, then another. Soren noticed too, his gaze flicking past the man's sh
n't sm
n't ne
was nervous this time and took a half step bac
s slightly parted, staring across