The Skin of My Enemy

most of the guests gathered in the grand ballroom of the Moretti estate, the fragrance was the smell of old money and undisputed power. For Vespera, as

n just beyond the French doors. She reached up to touch the heavy emerald pendant resting in the hollow of her throat. It was a Moretti he

ting. You look like

ee Silas Moretti. She could smell the expensive scotch on his breath from three feet away. She a

y modulated. "I'm merely ensuring that everything is in its proper place. The press is a

ved out of oak. His eyes, usually as hard as the marbles in the foyer, were unr

, a hollowness that Vespera had never heard before. "Yes. Tonight is

he logistics of their shipping empire, and to present the perfect face to a world that watched for any sign of weakness. Tonight, at the Centenary Gala, s

ies and shimmering diamonds. The lights were blinding, a white heat that made Vespera's eyes water for a split second bef

m. They were waiting for a slip-up, a crack in

solute you could hear the hum of the air conditioning. Vespera stood a few p

ars ago, my grandfather built this company on a promise. That blood is the only currency that matters in this world.

smile playing on her lips. She felt the e

laced by a cold, clinical tone that made the hair on Vespera's neck stand up. "A te

e a physical blow to her stomach. She looked at the back of Silas's head, her mind racing.

rising in a dramatic crescendo. "And for twenty-four years, I have searched. I have prayed. And tonigh

londe hair catching the light like spun gold. She was dressed in white lace, looking ever

a wave of static. Vespera stood frozen. The spotlight was still on her, but she felt

" she wh

ed his arms to her, pulling her into a fierce, emotional embrace

t Vespera. His eyes were devoid of any recognition. There was no love there, only the

sharp and mocking as they raked over Ve

e Moretti signet. It was a heavy gold band she h

thin and high. "And the pendant. They

them to her," S

n, a burning red that started at her chest and crept up her throat. Her fingers were shaking as she reached for the clasp of the emerald pendant

sed, almost naked. She handed it to Celeste, who took it with a smirk. Then, V

room. "Your service is noted, and your accounts have been settled for the time you pr

ignity fracturing. "I've worked for five y

las snapped. "And now you will d

an hour ago. She kept her eyes fixed on the exit, her heels striking the floor with a hollow, lonely sound. Every flash of a camera was a needle in her sk

hallow, jagged hitches. The attendant, a man who

e said, her v

e house that was purchased with Moretti funds. Including the clothes on your back. But since i

for another word.

e a physical weight, cold and relentless. In seconds, her silk dress was soaked, the navy fabric clinging to her legs and dra

ne on the steps and kicked the other off in a fit of silent rage. The stones bit into her soles, but she bare

hut behind her with a heavy, final metallic clang. She was tw

she saw

ard lights blinking a steady, amber warning. A man in a tailored suit was standin

a, please! You h

a, the media mogul who lived in a glass fortress and never let a living soul

licable impulse. The rain lashed against her face,

a human sound. It was a low, guttural rattle, th

ng to stop her. She leaned into the car. The interior smelled of expens

e like a blade, and hair as dark as the storm outside. But his eyes were blown wide, the silver irises vibrating with a terrify

d, finally regaining his sen

he saw the sheer, unadulterated terror in his gaze. She reached out, he

ed his wrist, her fingers lock

ft was

ipped, the convulsions stopped. The ragged, choking sound in his throat died away. His head

rce that it made her gasp. His skin was burning beneath the silk. She could fe

t. Two.

air, her ruined dress, and the fierce, burning intelligence in her amber eyes. He looked like a m

s voice a broken, dust

e, glowing like a dying star in the distance. She look

Vespera said, her voice turning to ice. "And in exc

ruising her skin. For the first time in fifteen year

he whi

or's

rney of revenge, power, and a love that defies the very laws of touch. Vespera has lost everythi

e key to his fortress. What do you think of Silas Moretti? Is he the

ed his hand, or would you have kept walking? Tell me in the comments below!