of flashing lights, velvet rop

y went, they w

ts where Maddox would slip his arm around Soren's waist li

on

l, that smug composure that left Soren reeling in the a

e n

c pulsing faintly through the walls, Maddox had ju

used. His fingers tugged slightly at Soren's collar,

s hand away. "W

epping closer. "Unless you want me to sh

opened. No s

eeze up every time I touch yo

out, fists clenchin

id smoothly. "I don't

-

dox casually dropped his jacket onto the

ied not

d lazily, "the press thinks we

yebrow. "And whos

dn't de

gave me t

"Do you want me to sle

pulsed wi

s arms. "You're

r. He didn't need to. Hi

to. You alre

re he could respond, Maddox's

essage fr

y-and his entire expression cha

," Maddox said simply. "She's des

d. "You want h

ed. "I want her to se

d up his phone, and s

ame low. "What

t away. Just showed the s

public drama, thank

d secretly taken of Soren, laughing in

"You..?, you took th

y lock

ice cracke

coolly. But the look in hi

on the bed, arms flailing like he was being sacrifi

k. "Too late. It's

d his face into the pillow. "Why is being fake-da

d dryly, loosening another button. "And

head just enough

're attending the Lance

n fr

p on his elbows. "Lancetti

"Front row, paparazzi, You'll wear whit

planned this before we even ki

itched. "I prepa

rol f

ma q

ainst his face. "I swear to God, if one more infl

interrupted, walking toward t

. Even

rway and looked back. "Y

when this ni

ened. "Then you'll

-

ight – Lan

y. Every step inside the gold-trimmed ball

ras clicked, mu

that turned heads before he even stepped into the room. The tailored suit sharp, cl

e. A teasing sheer panel cut across the chest beneath the blazer, showing the faintest glimpse of skin. Confident. Bold

entire time, not for the cameras anymore,

was

low as they passed a dozen flash

sed. "Why are they all looking

se you

k. "If I pass out from str

rame a

iced smile and escorted them to their table, right at the front, where t

fabric was flawless, but it didn't stop the way whispers slid across the room lik

composed, absolutely unbothered. The moment they sat, he draped one

n," Soren muttered wi

ng w

like you

dox didn't

yes. "God, I hope

d, dark and s

ping into the light like she'd rehearsed it. Her gown clung to her like molten rub

heading stra

r his breath. "Sh

she

two look... so public." Her eyes flicked to Soren's out

l, red was taken. And I do

s lips

Maddox, I heard rumors-rumors th

with slow precision

?" Her voice curled a

lked around the table with fluid e

one could proces

k. Not just fo

a sta

w with possessive pressure, lips brushing against h

across the gala

antly. Flashes.

hest was hammering, e

ed back, not taking

ked at Alina. "I don't nee

opened, but no

ddox added smoothly. "Now go

litter and rage, stalking back into the crowd wi

lowly, stunned.

re we

ally ki

ox said, sipping his d

lashing. "I'm going to suff

ce low and firm, "Good, in that way they

ra