Chapter 5

Asher walked beside her, his presence solid. "You didn’t give him what he wanted, did you?"

Vera let out a soft laugh, though it carried a sharp edge. "Lucas doesn’t even know what he wants."

Asher smirked, but there was something more in his eyes, approval, maybe even something deeper. "Good. Because I’d hate to have to remind him."

His words were casual, but Vera didn’t miss the weight behind them. There was an unspoken promise in Asher’s tone, something possessive, protective even. It should have unsettled her.

But, it didn’t.

Before she could respond, the music shifted, signaling the start of another dance. Asher extended his hand. "Dance with me."

Vera hesitated, eyeing him carefully. "And what exactly do you gain from this?"

He tilted his head, considering. "A reason for Sarah, to keep up appearances. She’s watching. She always is."

Vera followed his gaze and found Sarah Langford, the woman Asher’s family had long groomed to be his perfect match.

Tall, poised, effortlessly elegant. The kind of woman who never had to demand attention because it was always given to her. And right now, she was standing near the edge of the ballroom, her fingers curled tightly around a crystal glass. Watching. Unsmiling.

Vera’s lips curved. "Ah. They still think she’s the ideal Donovan wife."

"They do," Asher admitted, his tone neutral, but the slight clench of his jaw told her everything. "But I don’t."

His thumb brushed the back of her hand as he pulled her closer. "But don’t let that fool you into thinking I don’t want this dance."

Vera let him lead her onto the dance floor, and the moment he placed a firm hand on the small of her back, something shifted between them.

The orchestra played a slow, intoxicating melody, the kind of song that wrapped around the room like a whispered promise.

Vera let herself sink into the moment, her body fitting against his with an ease that should have startled her.

"You’re enjoying this," Asher murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

She tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze. "And if I am?"

His lips quirked. "Then that means I’m winning."

She raised a brow. "Is that what this is? A game?"

Asher twirled her effortlessly before pulling her back in, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "Everything is a game, Vera. The only difference is whether you’re playing… or being played."

Vera studied him, searching for the deeper meaning in his words. "And which one are you?"

Asher’s expression softened just enough for her to see something else lurking beneath his usual confidence. "I think I’m still figuring that out."

The song ended, but Asher didn’t let go immediately. Neither did she.

A slow clap echoed from the side of the dance floor, shattering the moment.

Nicholas Alden.

He stood near the edge, watching them with that same unreadable smirk he’d worn earlier. "Beautifully done, Vera. You’ve officially made your mark tonight."

Asher tensed beside her, his hand lingering against her waist before he slowly released her.

Vera turned to Nicholas with a cool smile. "I tend to have that effect."

Nicholas chuckled, stepping closer. "I must say, I do see."

Vera arched a brow. "Should I be flattered?"

Nicholas leaned in just enough to drop his voice. "You should be prepared. Because things are about to get interesting."

With that, he walked away, leaving behind a question Vera wasn’t sure she was ready to answer.

Vera barely had time to process Nicholas Alden’s cryptic words before the weight of another gaze settled on her.

Cool, calculating, expectant.

Sarah Langford.

The woman hadn’t moved from her place by the ballroom’s edge, but there was something distinctly different in her posture now.

Her expression remained poised, but Vera caught the telltale sign of a clenched jaw, the slightest tightening around her grip on the champagne glass.

Asher sighed beside her, clearly noticing it, too. "Looks like I have some damage control to do."

Vera tilted her head, amusement flickering across her face. "Damage control? I didn’t realize we were causing damage."

Asher’s lips curled slightly. "That depends on who you ask."

Before she could respond, Sarah had already started toward them, each step deliberate, as though she were gliding rather than walking.

The hum of conversation around them seemed to fade slightly, a sure sign that people were watching, waiting. Because when Sarah Langford moved, people noticed.

"Asher." Her voice was smooth, the kind of tone honed through years of practice in elite circles.

She didn’t even spare Vera a glance. "I wasn’t aware you were dancing tonight."

Asher offered a small smile, but Vera saw the way his fingers twitched at his side, the subtle resistance in his stance. "Even I have my surprises."

Sarah returned his smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "And here I thought you preferred consistency. Stability."

Vera recognized the maneuver instantly. A gentle reminder that Sarah was the one his family had deemed perfect for him. That she was the one who represented stability in a world of ruthless business mergers and power plays.

And Vera? She was the disruption.

Good.

Vera stepped forward, her own smile smooth and unbothered. "Oh, but unpredictability is what keeps things interesting, don’t you think?"

Sarah’s gaze flickered toward her, assessing, measuring. "I suppose that depends on the value one places on longevity."

Vera let out a soft laugh, one that she knew would get under Sarah’s skin. "Longevity isn’t always the goal. Sometimes, it’s about impact."

Asher, standing between them, ran a hand through his hair, the smallest hint of exasperation slipping into his voice. "Sarah. Vera. Let’s not turn this into something bigger than it is."

Sarah tilted her head slightly, her lips pressing into a knowing smile. "Of course. It’s nothing at all, is it?" She reached out, brushing a nonexistent speck of lint from Asher’s sleeve in a motion that was far too familiar. "I’ll let you get back to your evening. Just don’t forget that some things, Asher, are bigger than momentary indulgences."