I paused just inside the lounge, letting the noise and heat soak in. For a second, something familiar flickered—a spark of why I used to love it here.
“You made it.”
The voice was too close, too loud. I flinched.
Mark. Of course.
He hugged me one-armed, the way he always had—too casually to fight off. “Haven’t seen you in forever,” he said, and there was an edge under the warmth, like he knew I’d been avoiding him. Maybe I had. “You look good.”
That was generous. I let it slide. “Busy. Life.”
He nodded, his gaze flicking briefly down and back up. “Heard about your mom.”
“Yeah.” My voice tightened. “Thanks.”
Mark didn’t press. He never did. He’d been a friend, even when Jason didn’t like me having any. Jason used to call itprotective.I knew better now. “I just want you all to myself,” he’d said once. And I’d thought that was love.
Mark changed the subject. “Even one of the legends is here tonight.” His grin widened.
My pulse tripped. “Who?”
“Reddington.” He said it like it was a test. “Ring a bell?”
My throat went dry.
Mark caught it instantly. “Didn’t think anyone could forget him.”
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t.
We drifted to the bar. Mark did the talking; I kept to the edge of the noise, pretending to listen. The crowd pulsed and shimmered around us—leather, chains, laughter, perfume, confidence. Everyone belonged. Everyone except me.
And then I saw him.
Felix Reddington.
He stood by the bar, suit perfectly cut, beard trimmed, blue eyes sharp enough to cut glass. He looked bigger than I remembered, broader, steadier. People moved around him like water parting for stone. He didn’t smile. He didn’t need to.
My heart thudded once, hard enough to hurt.
I should have looked away. Should have walked out. But I didn’t.
I lingered near a table, pretending interest in the lights, the crowd, anything else. The music pounded through my chest. Felix turned his head, scanning the room—and then his eyes found me.
Everything stopped.
That small, knowing smile curled at his mouth—not cruel, not kind, just intent. Assessing. Like he was remembering exactly where to start.
I looked down fast, but it didn’t matter. I could feel him watching, the weight of it crawling up my skin. My breath caught. My hand tightened around my glass until the condensation slicked my fingers.
Mark reappeared. “You look like you’re about to bolt.”
I tried to laugh. It came out thin.
He followed my gaze, smirked. “Subtle as ever. Want me to introduce you?”
I almost spilled my drink. “No. Please. Don’t.”
“Why not? He’s just a Dom.”
