ding to escape the suffocating ballroom. She watched as Ethan moved throu

small of Liam' s back. He refilled Liam' s champagne flute, making sure it wasn't too full. Every gesture was filled with a gentle, practiced care tha

the bar. "Whiskey," she told the ba

kept replaying the image of Ethan and Liam together. The alcohol burned, but

ty auction where people could bid on a dance with the city' s

he knew how this would end. But a small, stupid part of her,

wo people: a wealthy socialite who was openly infatuated with Et

, the socialite dropped out. The auctioneer

shy, triumphant smile. Ethan' s face was unreadable, b

moved together gracefully, a perfect picture of elegance and romance. To ever

n of what she already knew. She was nothing. A

leaning against the wall, the crimson silk of her dress feeling like a costume for a part she h

she didn't hear the footsteps approachi

a bad

who had been staring at her all evening. He was ol

aid, pushing hers

, blocking her path. "You look like you could u

d, her voice turning to ice. She

w who you are. The Davis family's little problem child. You

oin. He gasped and doubled over. She didn't hesitate. She grabbed a heavy vase fr

gala, her heart pounding, her borrowed gown trailing behind her.

shoving a handful of cru

stared blankly out the window until her phon

you? Are

llowed by

hat you did to him. But

initial. Before she could reply, another car pull

the cab door. "

ached in and pulled he

with anger. "Assaulting a major investor at a public ev

lled back. "What was I

worried. "Ethan, is she okay? I saw what happened.

ing her arm out of Ethan's gras

," Liam said softly, try

Chloe snarled, yan

t. A car, speeding and out of control, jumpe

instantly. Without a moment's hesitation, he threw

me to move. She just saw the headlights, heard the screech of tires, and