Chapter 1 - The Arrival
The black town car glided to a smooth halt in front of the massive wrought-iron gates of the Pendleton estate.
Flashbulbs exploded in the freezing night air like bursts of aggressive lightning.
Nadia stared out the tinted window at the sprawling stone mansion, her heart hammering frantically against her ribs.
This was a world of impossible wealth that she had only ever seen on television screens.
Darian Costa did not wait for his driver to open the door.
He pushed his heavy door open and stepped out into the blinding, chaotic light of the cameras.
He casually buttoned his custom charcoal suit jacket with a look of utter, practiced boredom.
Then he walked around the rear of the expensive vehicle and pulled Nadia's door open.
He offered her his hand, his expression daring her to refuse.
Nadia hesitated for a fraction of a second before placing her red, calloused fingers into his warm palm.
The moment her cheap black stilettos touched the pristine red carpet, the loud, overlapping chatter of the paparazzi completely died.
A sudden, incredibly heavy silence fell over the grand entrance of the estate.
Every single camera lowered in unison.
Every wealthy man in a tailored tuxedo stopped walking and turned to look at her.
Darian froze in place, his hand tightening painfully around her fragile fingers.
He had intended to bring a joke to the gala to mock his rival.
Instead, he had unknowingly brought a lethal, beautiful weapon.
The dark plum silk hugged her curves flawlessly, making her look like a dark, untouchable queen of the underworld.
Darian felt a sudden, violent surge of primal possessiveness that completely caught him off guard.
He aggressively pulled her closer to his side, glaring dangerously at a prominent politician who was staring entirely too openly.
They walked up the grand marble staircase together, moving in perfect, silent synchronization.
Nadia kept her chin held high, pretending the expensive silk fabric was a suit of impenetrable armor.
At the very top of the stairs stood their host, Arthur Pendleton.
He was an older, distinguished man with silver hair and eyes that looked like shattered, cold glass.
Arthur smiled warmly at Darian, but his predatory gaze was entirely fixed on Nadia.
He stepped forward smoothly and reached for her bare hand.
"I do not believe we have had the pleasure, my dear."
Nadia took a deep breath, preparing to give the fake, unassuming name they had agreed upon.
But before she could speak a single word, Arthur leaned in close.
May you like
He whispered something in her ear that made the blood run absolutely cold in her veins.
"You look exactly like your mother did the night I killed her."
