chapter 7

Two weeks of living with the knowledge that someone was always watching. At first, it freaked Lia out. She'd be at the grocery store and catch a glimpse of a man in a black SUV parked three spaces down. She'd leave Isla's café and see someone across the street pretending to read a newspaper. They weren't even trying to hide anymore. Caspian's people. Always there. Always watching.

The weird thing was, after a few days, she stopped being scared. Started feeling something else instead. Safe. Protected. Like nothing bad could happen to her as long as they were there. It was messed up. She knew it was messed up. But she couldn't help it.

Julian noticed something was different. Not the men watching her. He was too self-absorbed for that. But he noticed her. The way she carried herself. How she didn't flinch anymore when he raised his voice. How she looked him in the eye instead of looking away.

"You're different," he said one morning over breakfast. He was actually home for once, eating toast and scrolling through his phone. "More confident or something. What's going on?"

Lia's heart jumped. "Nothing's going on. I'm the same person I've always been."

"No, you're not." He studied her with narrowed eyes. "Did you start therapy or something?"

"No."

"New medication?"

"Julian, I'm fine. Just tired of being pushed around." She stood up, taking her coffee cup to the sink. "The open marriage was your idea, remember? Maybe I'm just finally accepting it."

He didn't look convinced, but he dropped it. Went back to his phone and whatever woman he was texting. Lia let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

That evening, Margaret called. The charity gala was this Saturday. Black tie. Mandatory attendance. All the important families would be there. Lia needed to look perfect. Act perfect. Be the perfect Whitmore wife.

"Of course, Margaret," Lia said, already exhausted by the thought of it. "We'll be there."

Saturday arrived too fast. Lia spent the afternoon getting ready, putting on the mask she'd worn for five years. Hair perfect. Makeup flawless. A silver gown that cost more than most people made in a month. Diamond earrings Julian's parents had given her. She looked like everything Margaret wanted. Rich. Elegant. Boring.

Julian came home at seven to change. He barely looked at her. "Ready?"

"Yes."

The drive to the Silvercrest Grand Hotel was silent. Julian was on his phone the whole time, probably making plans to slip away early. To meet Vanessa or whoever else. Lia stared out the window and wondered why she was still doing this. Playing this role. Pretending.

The ballroom was packed with Silvercrest's elite. Old money families in designer clothes, drinking expensive champagne and pretending to care about whatever charity this was for. Lia smiled. Shook hands. Made small talk. Played her part perfectly.

And then she saw him.

Across the room. Caspian Nero. In a black tuxedo that fit him like it was made for his body. Dark hair styled back. Those gray eyes scanning the crowd like a predator looking for prey.

What the hell was he doing here?

Their eyes met. Everything else disappeared. The noise. The people. All of it. Just him. Looking at her like she was the only person in the room. Like he could see straight through her expensive dress and perfect makeup to the woman underneath who was barely holding it together.

Lia's breath caught. Her heart hammered. She looked away first, trying to calm down. This was bad. This was really bad. Julian couldn't see them together. Couldn't know.

"Darling, there you are." Margaret appeared at her elbow, air-kissing her cheeks. "You look lovely. Though perhaps the dress is a bit revealing for a woman your age."

Lia was twenty-nine. The dress showed her collarbones. But she smiled and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind for next time."

Margaret launched into gossip about someone's daughter who'd gotten divorced. Scandalous. Lia tried to focus. I tried not to look across the room at Caspian. Failed.

He was moving through the crowd now. People got out of his way without even realizing they were doing it. He had that effect. That presence that demanded respect and fear in equal measure.

And he was heading straight toward them.

CASPIAN'S POV

Caspian shouldn't be here. He knew that. Dorian had told him it was a bad idea. Nina had laughed and called him an idiot. But he couldn't help it. Two weeks. Two weeks of knowing she was out there. Living her life. With her piece of shit husband. And Caspian couldn't stop thinking about her.

About that night. The way she'd felt in his arms. The sounds she'd made. The look in her eyes when she'd told him she just wanted to feel like she mattered.

He'd had his people watching her. Keeping her safe from the Bratva. But also sending him reports. Where she went. What she did. Who she talked to. It was obsessive. He knew it was obsessive. But he couldn't stop.

So when Dorian mentioned that the Silvercrest elite were having their annual charity gala, Caspian decided to make an appearance. He had money. Lots of it. Most of it is legal these days. He could buy his way into any event he wanted.

The ballroom was full of people who looked down on him. Old money families who thought he was trash. New money. Criminal. Dangerous. They weren't wrong. But they took his donations anyway. Smiled to his face while they whispered behind his back.

Caspian didn't care. He wasn't here for them.

He was here for her.

He spotted Lia across the room. Silver dress. Diamond earrings. Hair done up in some complicated style. She looked like a princess. Untouchable. Perfect. And completely miserable.

Her husband stood next to her. Julian Whitmore. Trust fund baby. Caspian had done his research. The guy was a joke. Cheating on his wife. Running his father's company into the ground. Living off family money while pretending to be a businessman.

Julian's hand was on Lia's waist. Possessive. Like he owned her. Caspian's jaw clenched. He wanted to walk over there and break that hand. Remove it from her body permanently.

"Boss," Dorian's voice in his ear. His second-in-command had followed him to the gala, blending into the crowd in his own tux. "You're staring. People are going to notice."

"I don't care."

"You should. Half the people here would love to take you down. Don't give them ammunition."

Dorian was right. But Caspian was already moving. Walking toward her. He couldn't help it. It was like gravity. She pulled him in and he couldn't resist.

LIA'S POV

Caspian stopped in front of them. Up close, he was even more devastating. The tux. The confident way he carried himself. Those eyes that seemed to see everything.

"Mrs. Whitmore," he said, his voice smooth. Professional. "Mr. Whitmore. I hope I'm not interrupting."

Julian's face lit up. He recognized money and power when he saw it, even if he didn't know exactly who Caspian was. "Not at all. I don't believe we've met."

"Caspian Nero." He held out his hand. "I'm exploring some business opportunities in Silvercrest. Your family's pharmaceutical company came highly recommended."

Julian shook his hand eagerly. Lia could practically see dollar signs in his eyes. "Really? We should talk. I'm always interested in new partnerships."

"I'd like that." Caspian's smile was polite. Empty. Then he turned to Lia. "Your wife is lovely. Would you mind if I asked her to dance? I find business discussions go better when I've made a good impression on the whole family."

Julian actually pushed her forward. "Of course. Lia would love to dance. Wouldn't you, darling?"

Lia wanted to scream. Wanted to tell Julian that this was a terrible idea. That dancing with Caspian Nero was dangerous for about a thousand different reasons.

Instead, she smiled. "I'd be happy to."

Caspian offered his arm. She took it. His muscles were hard under the expensive fabric. He led her onto the dance floor as a slow song started. One hand went to her waist. The other took her hand. And suddenly they were too close. Way too close.

"You shouldn't be here," Lia whispered.

"I go where I want." His voice was low. Dangerous. His hand on her back burned through the thin fabric of her dress.

"Julian can't know."

"I don't care about Julian."

"I do. He's still my husband."

"A husband who doesn't deserve you." Caspian's gray eyes locked on hers. "Two weeks, Lia. Two weeks of watching you from a distance. Do you have any idea what that's been like?"

"You're the one who put people on me."

"To keep you safe. Not to torture myself." His hand tightened on her waist. Pulled her closer. "But that's what it's been. Torture. Knowing you're out there. In that house with him. In his bed."

"I'm not in his bed. We haven't shared a bed in months."

Something flickered in Caspian's expression. Satisfaction. Possession. "Good."

They moved across the floor. Lia was hyperaware of every point where their bodies touched. His hand. His chest. The heat between them. Everyone was watching. She could feel their eyes. But she couldn't bring herself to care.

"This is dangerous," she said.

"I know."

"People will talk."

"Let them."

"Caspian." His name came out like a plea. She didn't even know what she was pleading for. For him to stop. For him to never stop.

The song was ending. Caspian leaned close, his lips brushing her ear. His breath sent shivers down her spine. "Meet me outside. Five minutes. We need to talk."

"I can't."

"Yes, you can. Garden entrance. East side. Five minutes, Lia. Don't make me wait."

The music stopped. He stepped back, releasing her. Gave her a polite smile like they'd just had a normal dance. Like he hadn't just set her entire world on fire.

"Thank you for the dance, Mrs. Whitmore." He walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Lia stood there, trying to catch her breath. Trying to remember how to move. How to think. Julian appeared at her elbow, oblivious. "That went well. I think he's interested in investing. Could be huge for the company."

"That's great." Her voice sounded far away. Mechanical.

"I'm going to find Dad. Tell him about this. You'll be okay here?"

"Yes. I need some air anyway."

Julian was already walking away. Already forgetting about her. Lia looked toward the garden entrance. East side. She should stay here. I should go home. Should forget about Caspian Nero and his dangerous gray eyes and the way he made her feel alive.

She was going to go. She knew it. Couldn't help it. Five minutes. She'd give him five minutes. That was all.

Lia made her way through the crowd, smiling at people who spoke to her, making excuses about needing fresh air. The garden entrance was easy to find. A set of French doors leading to the hotel's outdoor space. She slipped through them into the cool night air.

The garden was beautiful. Fairy lights strung through trees. The scent of roses and jasmine. And in the shadows, waiting for her like she'd known he would be Caspian.