ly evidence she had ever been there. It bore no name, only a singl

d. "How could you just vanish?" he whispered to th

s hands. The intoxicating scent of her perfume stil

king broke the silence. "Keith? The dri

in the doorway, his expression a familiar blend of disapproval and concern. His sharp e

sian's voice was flat, pragm

oice cracking. "But she's gone. She was... different. She

swift, assured grace of a man used to command, blo

r!" Keith struggled, but his

d whip. "You're hysterical over a woman you met once

n't und

if you embarrass the Sterling name by chasing after some bar girl, I

knew his brother wasn't bluffing. Defeated, his shoulders slum

ingering on the note in Keith's

bled, the name tas

ack into place. "Elara," he repeated, the name foreign on his tongue. He shook his head, dismissing a foolish thought. The pa

.

Elara handed a thick envelope of cash to Leo. "Fo

the amount. "Sis, this is too

y from Keith was insignificant; the real value was in the hook she'd set in his psyche. He was now a potential a

eep emerald that clung to her every curve, hidden beneath a tailored trench coat. Her destination was "The Gilded

ough the opulent lounge. A few men, emboldened by expensive whiskey, began to approach, but a single, glacial

"I need to speak with the manager. The one

e him, simply nodded. He sent a quick, discr

cloying scent of expensive cigars and perfume. Behind a large mahogany desk sat a woman whose sharp

horough inventory of Elara's assets. "You are a rare vint

e an opportunity." She placed a sleek black cardholder on the desk. "There's twenty

of particular taste. Twenty thousand merely gets you through the door. To be placed directly in his path... t