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My heart sinks. There’s nothing I’ll be able to get from this woman. I feel for her, stuck in whatever web Ivan seems to have strung for her to give her hope and keep her along. I can only imagine how he’s making her pay off her debts to him.
“That’s so exciting,” I say with as much genuineness as I can.
“Isn’t it?”
Not at all, I want to tell her. But I keep the next string of thoughts to myself. This place, and these billionaires, just keep getting worse and worse. We’re all wrapped up in the games, and the devils are just here to watch.
***
Despite Four Eighty’s blissful ignorance toward her own reality as a blackmailed, enslaved past player, she sure did apply a good face of makeup. I wonder if she was a makeup artist before she came here. I wish I could have gotten past myself to ask, to get to know her more, but I’m so driven by the mission right now I’m blinded.
Laurence and I walk through the halls, my arm looped through his. Our footsteps echo on the marble floors, bouncing off the walls. My heels have a sharp tone that pierces my ears; strappy sandals to match the strappy dress.
Laurence really did dress me to win tonight. What I’m wearing could barely be considered clothing. There must be aprivate tailor for the games because I can’t imagine this dress being sold to the public, let alone how much it would cost.
The dress is nothing but two pieces of satin black fabric on my front and back, neither entirely generous in coverage. The sides are secured together by a series of gold chains, completely exposing my hips and thighs. It’s one of the most luxurious dresses I’ve ever worn. I feel like I could win in this, but that’s not what I want. Too bad Laurence picked it out, whodoeswant me to win.
“You look ravishing, Blue,” he tells me, as if reading my mind. We’re alone in the hall, but I can already hear the murmur of the gala.
“Thank you, sir.”
Tonight, I’ve been gifted a collar. Made of matching gold chain with a delicate lock at the hollow of my throat. The key is at Laurence’s wrist. I can’t deny it turns me on knowing I get to play the role of his property while plotting the downfall of the Echelon Society in the background.
A smirk tugs at the edge of his lips as we round the corner to the doors of the gala. The ballroom is full of Advocates and their Players, all dressed the best I’ve ever seen them—well, the remainder of them.
Everything is lit by candlelight this evening. The themes are crimson and black, the velvet of the furniture they’ve installed reflecting the dancing firelight placed on the tables and hanging in the chandeliers. It’s so dim, I can hardly make out who is who.
My suspicion that this gala will be different seems to hold true. There’s something else going on here.
A podium sits in the middle of the series of couches, and atop it, a massive velvet mattress. This looks very… voyeuristic.
I can’t deny the ache that blooms in between my legs at the thought of it. I can swing the other way too… be an exhibitionist.
Get ahold of yourself, Eve!
I want to shake my head loose from the thoughts that are distracting me from the task at hand, but I remain composed as Laurence guides us to a loveseat in the corner. It seems most pairings are seated on various loveseats together, enjoying the intimate setting. I still can’t find Lily.
“Champagne?” Laurence asks.
“Yes, please,” I say taking a seat on the loveseat as he walks toward the bar across the room.
I’m scanning the seating area, searching for Lily, when the seat next to me is weighed down by someone taking the seat. I turn to find Carrick, sipping a glass of whiskey.
“Evening, Eve,” he says, smirking at what he perceives to be his own wittiness.
I’m too caught up in my shocked horror to care. “I thought Terrence kicked you off the island.”
Carrick makes atsksound. “Turns out when you have money, you can get away with anything.” He swirls his drink in his glass and takes another heavy sip. “You really think anything can keep me from having you?” He reaches out for my face, but I slap his hand away. In return, he grabs my hand in his, squeezing so tight I can feel my bones grind together. “Figure out why you’re here yet?” I try to pull my hand away, but he only leans in further. “I think you need a reminder of who brought you here. That you’re nothing but a worthless whore whoI’llown by the end of the day. Just like I own your father, and Aurelia’s father, andher.”
I freeze, eyes widening at his mention of Aurelia. I do my best to keep my voice level, to not cause a scene, but it proves difficult.
“Where is she?” I snarl. “And what do you know about my father?”
“I’ll have you processed and stationed before you get to find out.”
“Can I help you?” I didn’t notice Laurence’s reappearance until he was standing in front of us, staring down at Carrick with daggers that could cut through flesh. “Isn’t there some money for you to go launder or people to blackmail?”
Carrick’s face twists with rage. He rises from his seat and faces Laurence. “Vale, always the smartest in the room. You ever think shutting your mouth might be of benefit to you?”
