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“Oh wow,” she gasps when she glances my way. “You look amazing. That dress is made for you.”
Nodding, I offer a smile. “Thanks, sis. It’s a perfect fit.”
“My brother has exquisite taste,” Dante offers. Rising from the seat, he stalks closer to me. “I think he forgot to deliver this to your room.” He makes his way to the cabinet, opening a small drawer. He hands me a sleek black box, allowing me to open the top. Inside, lying on the velvet, is a silver necklace. The dainty design shimmers in the light. A pendant is attached to the chain — a bird, a small onyx raven with a tiny diamond as the eye. Ever watchful.
“This is incredible.”
“As are you, Caia.” The voice from behind me has me spinning on my heel to meet the blue gaze of Drake Savage. Dressed in a black suit, white button-up, and a cherry-red tie, he looks immaculate. His dark hair is tousled, perfectly messy, but elegantly styled. He hasn’t shaved, and the stubble on his jaw is thicker, making him look more distinguished than ever before.
He closes the distance between us, plucking the necklace from the velvet and helping me lock the clasp in place around my neck. The raven sits between my small breasts, glinting in the low light.
“Dante, you’ll stay here with Harper.” It’s not a question. It’s an order.
“I’ll keep the young princess company.” Dante turns to my sister who’s blushing furiously. I’m not sure she should be involved with Dante Savage. There’s something dangerous about him. But then again, I’m falling for a man who I know could hurt me more than anyone ever has.
“Let’s go.” Drake turns and struts from the living room. Quickly, I make my way to Harper, giving her a hug before following my date for the evening. I’ve played the arm-candy role so many times over the past few years, but all those times I was forced into it. Now, I’m willingly walking beside a man to be shown off like a piece of art.
Drake opens the door of the midnight blue Maserati GranCabrio. Taking my hand, he helps me slip into the passenger seat. The material of my dress falls open, the slit offering him a generous view of my thighs.
“You do look exquisite.” He smiles, shutting the door and rounding the front of the vehicle. As soon as the engine purrs to life, Drake glances my way. “I trust you enjoyed last night?”
I can’t help blushing at the question. The memory so fresh in my mind. My stomach somersaults at the desire that overtook me with him and River.
“Perhaps.” I smile, turning my attention to the window instead of meeting his penetrating gaze. It burns me. It digs into my soul and disarms me. Drake can see all the darkness lurking beneath the surface, all those needs I’ve hidden away come to the outside when he is near. We drive off the property onto the dark road before he speaks again.
“Tonight, you’ll be a toy. My toy. They’ll not touch you; I’ll make sure of it. But whatever I do to you, I’ll need you to allow it.” He doesn’t look my way, instead focusing on the road ahead. “The man we’re meeting is volatile.”
“I understand.”
“Good.”
The rest of the drive is silent. We don’t talk about what happened, and all the questions I wanted to voice no longer find their way from my tongue. I reach for the pendant, holding onto it as if it’s going to give me strength for what’s to come. I’ll be his tonight, but my traitorous heart wants more than one night. It wants to belong to him.
Drake pulls up to large gate moments later. There are four men with guns on either side of the car, and my heart gallops wildly in my chest at the sight of them.
“Good evening,” Drake greets one of the men confidently. “We’re here for the gala.” He hands a card, which I can only guess is the invite, to the security guard who nods swiftly, and the gates glide open allowing us onto the enormous property.
Once we’re parked, a young man opens my door, assisting me with an offered hand. I walk beside Drake as if we were a couple. It feels real, and just for a moment, I smile.
“I think you like role playing,” Drake whispers in my ear, sending heated shivers through me.
“I think you just like watching me submit to your needs.”
The large wooden door slides open, and we’re welcomed into a stunning entrance hallway. “I do. But I also revel in seeing my little bird fly,” he finally responds, but I have no time to give him a retort because we’re led deeper into the house where we find more couples mingling as if it were a normal dinner party.
