NATALIA

supposed

peated itself over and over a

supposed

he articles on the internet, TV, and other news outlets said. I should have known since I've been keeping t

ttend the event or something

detec

e but to infiltrate the party dressed as a guest. Well, nothing a for

bit down on my lips, my nerves stretched taut as I tried to keep my expression aloof. Holding onto the champagn

heir fine clothes and their expensive cufflinks, and women who smiled and laughed along. Their voices were sweet and their heads, we

t I'd either seen on TV or during board meetings passed by me, and I was almost tempted to take ou

it on the silver tray, ignoring the sharp glare he threw at me when the contents nearly spilled

cheery voice resounded from the s

o a stop in front of a water fountain. The statue of a naked woman holding a pitcher stared back

pot but damn the security of this place is tight.'' He sighed. ''I'm not even su

myself. ''Do

nape of my neck to stand. I turned, suddenly feeling eyes on me when I caught a few gazes lingering

le, winking through my

g

tood not too far ahead, lights shone from its window, and the closer I walked towards it, the louder the boisterous waves of laugh

not what caught my attention. Rather, it was the grey-haired man in their middle. His fa

e found itse

e is," I

you s

ad back, laughing loudly. ''Yes.'

zo Mo

m he wanted people to know. Behind closed doors, he was a different person entirely. A man known to have the underground world wrapped

et no one could ever link anything to his name. He was untouchable. A man whose power, money,

onths, he managed to evade our every at

looking for was fina

ion. My

d my throat tightened with anticipation. I c

breath, I call

eah

st wing of the b

rp breath, eyes turning back to the window. A girl clad in a blue dress stumbled inside th

rry!'' I he

my lips. ''Dammit, j

young lady?'' One

y sorry for interru

man came rushing inside, leaning down as

n nodded and then h

I heard her protes

nto the grass beneath me, only to come to an abrupt stop

en widened slowly when

ian

like a death b

t unable to help myself. He was a tall man, with dark hair that almost

a striking silver. One that peered right int

res and frame were attractive, it was

tep back,

me. That would b

wrong? Why d

ice in my ear only increased

ust as I feared, his eyes lingered on me for a long moment. I watched as

a long black dress and a fake red wig to match. The seconds ticked by as we continued to stare, an

sent chills

." He mouthed, raising hi

, I turned around swiftly, h

hit! Sh

happened? Wher

rushed through the crowd,

mean? Who saw

usband saw me!"

rea

huge gates, when I bumped into a body that knocked the mask

in front of me, blocking my way. I took a step back and tri

mach d

ee an inv

h

nt blank. Passing throug

epped closer, and I had to stop myself from

he gun strapped to my thigh. "Look, I hav

t, ma'am. We have strict or

t const

s one without the use of for

here y

around,

but curse under my breath. "Hello, wife," he said,

the irritation and anger that was evident on his face.

at, sweat running down my

f his stare alone made me want to take a step back. I didn't have

ing could have prepared m

eral times. "Hi." It was the o

body, his cologne, and his touch had my insides doing things it shouldn't. "G

swallowed, and his hand

k before they bowed slightly.

There's no n

ked away. When they were gone, Killian pulle

y I couldn't reach you. Why your phone was dead? I never imagined-'' his eyes trailed dow

still be listening in on our conversation. I cleared my throat, trying

nched, eyes narrowing.

o follow their quick and heavy strides. I looked around,

n," I said, tug

led, stopping to look at me. "What are yo

one of your usual places, so w

ily, and their name was not a secret in the city. They owned many restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. Their wealt

plied, lying t

ou here? Did you sneak in? Is this one of your raid

s invited, okay? I

both know you don

r eye

I did sneak in. But i

t reason

rking. It's not like you

e. Then, he sighed, running a hand through

?" I couldn't help but ask. "You can just

ghten. ''You don't understand, do you?'' he said, his tone laced with annoyance. ''This isn't so

And I'm not a child, Killian

etly. ''I don't know what you are after, but Moretti isn't a man t

silence. The look of genuine concern in his eyes made my chest ache. But

e myself? You're underestimating me

ourself," he spat. "If you value your lif

out my gun. We stayed silent for a secon

se I couldn't recognize. He reached a hand up and pulled a strand

touch sending a tingling

away. I looked up at his eyes, watchi

ling exposed. "Why are you being

't hat

fooled me.

anything to th

and knowing that I wouldn't be able to do

orting the mission,'' I said, looking u

oge

g the receiver off my ear.

turn away, he grab

ha

ai

et, the sound of our breaths th

thing, his lips parted and then closed. "

elt Killian's eyes on me as I walked out the gates, down the steps, away from th

t to risk my life, not yet. Not when I h

f his stare, even as I disappea