Chapter 1 - The Arrival
The ballroom of the Continental Hotel fell into a deafening silence.
Every eye in the room tracked my movements as I descended the grand marble staircase.
The black silk of my dress caught the light, moving like liquid shadow against my skin.
Across the room, Thomas Steves froze with his crystal champagne flute pressed halfway to his lips.
The cruel, mocking smile he had worn all evening completely vanished.
I kept my chin high, my posture perfect, and my steel-tipped stilettos clicking sharply against the floor.
Larkin Steves did not blink.
For the first time in three years, the cold, calculating syndicate boss looked genuinely stunned.
He handed his drink to a passing waiter and began walking straight toward me.
The crowd of dangerous men and elegant women parted for him instantly.
He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, his dark eyes sweeping over me in a slow, possessive appraisal.
"Miss Woods," he said, his voice dropping an octave lower than his usual office tone.
"Mr. Steves," I replied, keeping my expression entirely unreadable.
"I believe my schedule said formal attire," he murmured, stepping closer.
"I hope I meet the company standard," I said without looking away.
Larkin offered me his arm, and a dark, terrifying smirk played on his lips.
"You have exceeded it, Penelope."
I placed my hand on his tailored sleeve, feeling the hard muscle beneath the expensive fabric.
He led me toward the VIP tables, ignoring the furious glare of his cousin Thomas.
Thomas stepped into our path, his face flushed with anger and humiliation.
"What is this, Larkin?" Thomas demanded, glaring at my dress.
"This is my date for the evening," Larkin replied smoothly, not stopping his stride.
We sat at a private table draped in black velvet.
I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline, thinking I had actually won the night.
I had proven I was not their victim.
Then Larkin leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear.
"You should not have worn that dress tonight, Penelope," he whispered.
My heart skipped a beat at the sudden coldness in his tone.
"Why?" I asked, my bravado slipping just a fraction.
"Because this gala is actually an underground auction," Larkin answered softly.
May you like
He turned his head, his dark eyes locking onto mine with absolute severity.
"And a rival cartel boss just placed a three-million-dollar bid to buy you."
