a simple black dress, something appropriately somber. It was one of my old dresses, on

as in a sharp tuxedo, and she wore a stunning, blood-r

Janette," Garrison hissed as we walk

oom. The city's elite were all here, sipping cham

olences for the "tragic loss of her dear friend's mother." People fawn

for Garrison's family," a woman dripping i

g a delicate hand on Garrison's arm. "He'

. "He sold off his entire tech portfolio. Took a huge loss. Word is, he did

her eyes wide with feigned ad

ade a joke about my plain dress, comparing it to Keyla's finery. I felt the sting of humilia

a, bid extravagantly on jewelry and art, all of which he gifted to he

up. A rare, antique sapphi

ite," she breathed. "It's

ross the room kept pace with him. The price climb

bling in a pout. The winner was an ol

terling's table. I watched from a distance, my curiosity piqu

, his voice low. "Name yo

ile. "It's not for sale, Gardner. Bu

t Garrison, landi

nd possessive. "A classic beauty. Such a shame you keep her hidd

n to lash out, to defend my honor. I wai

ust stood there. Si

g trading me for a piece o

of my heart that might have held some ling

bly. I had to get out of there. I turned an

to me in the hallwa

," I spat, yank

ing. Do this for me, for us. Sterling is an old man. It's just one night. And then

loathing so pure it was almost a physical force. "You are

ed. "It's a goo

a waiter passing with a tray of drinks. In a moment of pure, self-destr

he hallway tilted, the lights blurring in

ison caught me. "Wha

tunneling. "The drink..." I sl

had planned this. He knew I would be emotional. He knew I might do something impu

e, his lips brush

a venomous caress. "Just get through

ll me. The last time he w

t thing I felt was him guiding my l