Chapter 5

Kamara

The first thing I felt was the pounding in my head.

The second was the unfamiliar quiet.

Light bled through the curtains, far too bright. My tongue was dry, my skin sticky with sweat. For a moment, I couldn’t even remember where I was. Then the smell of lemon candles and clean sheets hit me.

A sharp breath left me, half relief, half disbelief. The last thing I remembered was music, flashing lights… someone breathing against my neck… and then—

“Don’t move.”

My head snapped toward the doorway as I opened my eyes.

Jace stood there, arms crossed, his usual black shirt rolled to his elbows, fresh clothes draped over one arm.

“Of course you brought me back,” I muttered, trying to sit up. The motion sent another spike of pain straight through my skull. I hissed.

“You were drugged last night,” he said, tone clipped but even. “You should avoid places like that.”

“Drugged?”

He nodded once. “I handled it. You’re safe now.”

Why would someone drug me.? Shit! One party and shit was already happening.

I looked down at myself, still wearing the same pink dress from last night. My fingers tightened on the sheets.

“I didn’t change you,” he said, as if reading my thoughts. “I carried you here. You passed out.”

My chest loosened just a little, but it didn’t last.

“Your father wasn’t pleased.”

“Shocking,” I said dryly. “Did you call him before or after you decided to drag me home?”

“After.”

“Figures.”

His face was a mask — too smooth, too controlled. But there was something about the way his eyes wouldn’t stay on me for long.

A pang of headache struck me again and I held my head.

“What exactly happened last night?” I asked. “I remember the party. Then nothing. Then you.”

“You were childish as always and drank, had it been I hadn’t got there in time, who knows what would have happened.”

His fist clenched as he spoke.

I rolled my eyes at the response, instantly regretting it as pain followed.

“You guys shipped me off, not like he would care.” I said.

Jace didn’t respond and actually I didn’t expect him to. Because God forbid Jace Malden does anything his precious boss wouldn’t approve of.”

“Your father’s orders are for your protection. Please don’t go anywhere without my knowledge.”

“The both of you are crazy. What kind of protection is that? Even with him absent, he still controls my life.”

His gaze lifted to mine, but his knuckles were white where they gripped the fabric in his hands.

“You nearly didn’t make it home last night,” he snapped. “If that’s control, maybe you need a little more of it.”

Everything went silent for a second.

Finally, he moved, setting the folded clothes on a chair.

“There’s an event tonight. Your father expects you to attend.”

I blinked. “You’re kidding.”

His expression didn’t change. “I’ll be accompanying you.”

“Accompanying?” I scoffed. “What are you, my date?”

“One of us has to make sure you survive the night,” he said.

“Guard dog,” I muttered under my breath and he ignored me.

“Wear whatever you want. I’ll still be there.”

It wasn’t a threat, but it felt like one.

I turned to the closet, pretending to search through hangers so I wouldn’t have to look at him. The air between us felt heavier than before.

“Do you ever get tired of it?” I asked quietly. “Following orders. Pretending you don’t have your own life?”

He didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was quiet. “My life is making sure you still have yours.”

I froze.

He looked away before I could respond, already heading for the door.

“Six o’clock,” he said. “Don’t be late.”

I watched him leave. I hated that my father still controlled me, despite not being here.

But most of all, I hated knowing that tonight, I was going to do exactly what he didn’t want me to.

Because if Jace thought I was just going to follow orders again, he was wrong.

Very wrong.

~••~

7:00pm

The Marcellus Hotel, New Coast

The chandelier light was almost blinding. Every inch of the room glittered without mafia men disguised as civil business men.

I hated it already.

Jace walked beside me, as silent and sharp as ever, his hand resting near the small of my back — close enough to guide, not close enough to touch. His black suit fit him too well, his expression the same unreadable calm that made people part for him without knowing why.

If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought he belonged here more than I did.

“Your father’s partners,” he said quietly, eyes scanning the crowd. “Smile. Be civil.”

“Civil,” I echoed, forcing a thin smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Got it. Pretend I’m not dying inside.”

He gave no reaction. I walked further in, my heels clicking against the marble. Heads turned — some out of politeness, some out of curiosity. The whispers followed. That’s Mann’s daughter. The one they sent away. The one whose mother—

I blocked it out. I’d gotten good at that.

Jace stayed half a step behind me, his presence both grounding and suffocating. I could feel him even when I wasn’t looking. The room was quiet, a nightmare of business and entrepreneurship.

“Would it kill you to at least pretend to enjoy this?” I muttered.

He leaned slightly closer, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “Would it kill you to listen for once?”

I shot him a look. “Probably.”

Before he could answer, a man approached in tall, grey suit, expensive watch. His smile didn’t reach his eyes either.

“Kamara Mann,” he said warmly, extending a hand. “It’s been years. You look just like your mother.”

The words lodged somewhere between my ribs. I forced a polite smile and shook his hand. “Thank you.”

“I was very sorry to hear about her passing,” he continued, with the rehearsed sympathy of someone who’d probably said the same thing a hundred times tonight. “Your father’s handling things admirably, given… well, everything.”

“Right,” I said tightly. “He’s great at handling things.”

The man chuckled awkwardly, then turned to Jace. “Still running errands for Mr Mann. She’s old enough.”

He said in a mocking tone.

Jace dismissed him once. “Still none of your concern sir.”

It wasn’t harsh but it was still enough to make his smile falter.

I bit back one of my own.

“Kamara!”

My head snapped toward the sound before I could stop myself.

The woman was already halfway across the floor holding a glass of champagne in hand.

“I can’t believe it’s really you!” she laughed, wrapping her arms around me Im a hug. “It’s been so long!”

I nearly choked on the air I was breathing.

“Amy?”