LOGINKEONAThane’s office is tucked behind a high security gate on the quiet stretch of Huaihai Road in Shanghai. From the outside, the building blends into its surroundings, giving little away. But on the inside, polished dark wood, carved screens and traditional Chinese artwork lend the office a distinctly Chinese elegance. Soft instrumental music plays in the background, adding to the quiet luxury of the space.I’m seated across the table from Thane, tapping my feet as tension roils in the pits of my stomach. Through the screen of the tablet on his desk, Maya chews on her nails, her own method of stress relief. My best friend has been listening in through video call as I recount everything that happened last night. Her eyes widen when I mention that Hardin had my photograph with him. “You can’t be fucking serious. He took to the streets with your fucking picture?”“Yup,” I groan, running a hand over my tired face. “He showed a couple of the dancers my picture, asked if they’d seen me
KEONA“You’ve asked an awful lot of questions, girl. Why do you want to know so much?”Gigi’s voice carries across the pavement, sharp with suspicion. She’s standing with one hip cocked, her arms folded over her ample breasts as she studies Megan.Megan gives her an easy smile. “I’m just curious, babes. That man was asking you a lot of questions.”Gigi lifts one brow. “And?”Mega slaps her playfully on the shoulder. “And I wondered what he wanted. That’s all.”Gigi lets out a short laugh. “You want to know about him, or are you trying to steal my man?”Megan’s eyebrows lift. “Your man?”“Don’t play dumb, Meg. I know you saw him. Tall, handsome, dressed like he’s swimming in hard currency.” Gigi adjusts the strap of her dress. “If you want him, just say so. You were spying on us while we talked, weren’t you? Too bad he got into his car the moment he was done with me. I’m sure you’re disappointed.”She laughs again, the shrill sound grating at my nerves, and I clench my fingers to st
KEONAMy smile turns to dust on my lips. My legs turn to lead as I freeze right in the middle of the street. What is he doing here?I recognize the woman beside him as one of the dancers from the Ninth Room. Gigi. She’s standing too close to Hardin, smiling up at him and batting her lashes flirtatiously as she talks. Her hand finds his arm, and she leaves it there while she laughs at something she just said. Suddenly, she leans in closer, baring the tops of her breasts to Hardin’s expressionless gaze. It’s a clear invitation that she wants him fuck her. Heck, even the blind would notice. But Hardin doesn’t.Or like the cold bastard I know him to be, he does notice. He just doesn’t give a damn. He stands with his shoulders squared and his expression set, allowing her to talk without giving much back. His attention appears to be on her, but there is no warmth in his face. He looks as though he’d rather be somewhere else.That doesn’t stop Gigi from trying. She touches his sleeve
KEONAMegan is halfway through telling me about one of her clients when I start laughing so hard I have to slow down to catch my breath.“He actually said that to you?” I ask, trying to wipe the tears from my cheeks while still wheezing like a hyena.“With a straight face, I tell you.” She throws her hands up, almost losing her balance in the process. I have to grab her hoodie to steady her as we stagger out of the club like a pair of drunken sailors. “This man looked me in the eye and asked if I could piss in his mouth. Twice! Audacity was at an all time high tonight, I swear it.”I laugh again, and she bumps her shoulder against mine.The night air is cooler than it was inside the club. The music has faded behind us, replaced by the noise of passing cars and people talking along the street. Megan is walking me towards her place, where I’m supposed to spend the night. She’s already decided that I’m not going to argue with her about it, and, for once, I haven’t tried.Megan is a fel
HARDINCora’s thought process is childish, but it doesn’t stop the dark feeling of jealousy that squeezes my heart at the thought of Keona cozying up with another family. My daughter lifts her face to look at me. “How come you don’t know when she’s coming back? You’re daddy. You know everything.”A bitter, helpless feeling settles over me. I almost smile at the innocence of those words, but there’s nothing amusing about the faith she has placed in me. “I don’t know when she’ll be back,” I admit, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “I wish I did, sweetheart. I wish I could tell you she’d be home tomorrow. I wish I could promise you a day and know I wouldn’t be lying. But I can’t do that to you.”Her eyes shine in the dim lights.“Do you miss her too?” I open my mouth to change the subject. To tell Cora that it doesn’t matter.But in the end, I cannot lie to my daughter. Because it does matter. It matters so fucking much, it’s all I think about. “Yes, sweetheart. I miss he
HARDIN“…concerning your wife, I have news.”I pause with my hand on the car door; “Tell me.” My voice is calm, betraying the rush of anticipation I’m currently feeling inside.“She’s been sighted in Shanghai. One of my sources claims she was seen at a club in the Jing’an District. The place is called,” I hear a faint rustle in the background before Salvatore’s voice returns, “The Ninth Room.” My fingers tighten around the keys until the edges dig into my palm. At this point, I’m running on too much adrenaline to feel the pain.“Shanghai,” I repeat, barely recognizing my own voice. “You’re telling me that Keona is in Shanghai?”“That’s what I’ve been told, sir. I’m still trying to confirm the sighting, but the information came from someone I trust.”My heart is hammering so loudly, I can barely hear myself think. “When last was she seen?”“Last night.”I retrieve a second phone from my front pocket, checking for available flights to China. “Send me the details you have. I need th







