LOGINDario Reyes had the kind of smile that made you want to check your pockets afterward.It spread slowly across his face as I approached — or maybe as he approached me, because by the time I registered the distance closing between us, he was already within arm's reach, already extending his hand, already looking at me like I was something he'd been waiting to find all evening."I don't believe we've met," he said.His accent was faint. Spanish, maybe. His grip when I took his hand was firm but brief, the kind of handshake that communicated restraint — that said *I could hold on longer, but I won't. Yet.*"Angelina Jordan," I said."Dario." He released my hand. "You're with Valetti?""I am."Something flickered across his face. Not quite surprise. More like recalculation. He took a slow sip of his champagne, his eyes drifting briefly across the room to where I assumed Silas was, then settling back on me."Interesting man to be with," he said."Is that your polite way of saying dangerous?
RAINEY A gun. He pulled out a gun. I staggered back a step, my heels catching on the pavement, and I almost face-planted right there in front of the gala entrance. "Silas—" "Relax." His voice was calm, almost bored, the way someone might sound while checking the weather. He tucked it back inside his inner pocket and straightened his lapel like he hadn't just nearly given me a heart attack. "It's for emergencies." "Emergencies," I repeated flatly. "Mm." "You pulled out a *gun* and said 'relax.'" He glanced at me sideways. "Would you have preferred I pulled out a knife?" I pressed my lips together and said absolutely nothing. The gala was already buzzing when we stepped through the grand double doors. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling like frozen waterfalls. Men in tailored suits moved through the room with the quiet confidence of people who had never once worried about where their next meal was coming from. Women in gowns that probably cost more than my ent
005RAINEY“You're forcing me to go against my will in broad daylight and dragging me into the unknown at night.”I wasn’t looking at him; I was staring out the car window, biting my lip so hard that I could taste blood on my tongue.“This dress makes me uncomfortable.”He turned to me, a smirk on his thin lips.“Are you going to take it off, Ney? I swear I won’t stare.”I turned to him and shot a deadly glare.“The next time you call me Ney, I might end up in prison for murder, Silas Valetti.”He slowly nodded, smiling at me, and Holy Mary, I almost peed myself.Why did he always have to look so hot?!!“What’s the ceremony?”“It’s an event.”“An event?”He nodded, “Yes, a gala event.”“Am I invited to dine with the elites?” I raised an eyebrow, hoping he would put an end to my confusion right away. “Why should I be there? You know I can sense this gloomy cloud hanging over your head, and with the last few hours I’ve spent with you, I’ve never felt so threatened in my life.”“I feel l
RAINEYThe dining room was silent except for the clinking of cutlery against china. I wasn't eating or doing anything except stabbing the pork with my fork.I could feel his eyes on me, and it made my blood boil. He didn’t seem disturbed by the anger written on my face; instead, he took pleasure in watching me bend, twist, and finally break in front of him.“The meat is so soft,” he said, “why are you stabbing it like it’s leather?”I looked up to meet his gaze, and my heart thudded—not out of fear, but because of a feeling I couldn’t quite place.“Last night was hell,” I said, setting my fork down. “I thought I could finally have my peace, but even at midnight, you didn’t let me have that. You watched me all night and…”“And you liked it?” he asked, grinning from ear to ear.I picked the fork back up, gripping it tightly. My gaze was stern, and I ground my teeth together, as if I might murder him soon.“One thing I’d never do in my life, Silas Valetti,” I said, pausing to watch the
RAINEY“Mister, what do you think you're doing controlling me like this?” I shot at him, my arms crossed over my chest.How foolish of him to believe he could bring me down here and dictate that this was my new home.He paused, glancing over his shoulder without turning around. “Don't argue, Ney. It won't end well.”My blood boiled as I watched the smirk curl up his lips. He must have thought his words would silence me, but that was just a lie he told himself.“Why should I follow you? I don't even want to be here.” I shrugged, stamping my feet stubbornly against the marbled floor.“Rainey.” He called my name, the sound slipping from his mouth like a haunting song.I took a step forward as he approached me.“Don’t come close.” I raised my finger to warn him, but he simply shook his head.“This is my mansion, and I call the shots here, Rainey Wyatt, not you. Don’t be a jerk; it didn’t end well for your father.” He cackled, each step reminding me that I needed to figure out a way to esc
RAINEYI drew in a sharp breath, freezing in my spot.How on earth did he know my name when I was only meeting him for the first time?I pushed him away before he could pull me any closer.“You pervert!” A loud scream escaped my lips before I could help it. “Have you been following me?” I asked, my voice dropping to a whisper.I wrapped my arms around myself, my chest pounding.“I need to leave here. I need to run away.”“Hey!” My brows widened with amusement as he stepped closer, ignoring my warning and closing the gap between us.With a low growl, he pulled me into his chest as if daring me to break away.“Stop being nosy and come with me.”With that, he covered my mouth with his palm and dragged me away while I struggled to break free.We didn’t go through the front area where the police were scattered; he took me through the back doors as we hurried along the dark path.Soon, we reached a black van parked nearby, and he shoved me inside before I could argue.“Help! Somebody help!”







