It was probably an unhealthy sign that she couldn’t simply enjoy life as a macro-influencer, raking in big checks for sponsored content and personal appearances. Instead, she lived with constant imposter syndrome, and a nearly crippling fear that she’d make the wrong choice about what to allow on her feed, wondering if the next sponsored post she agreed to share would label her as a sellout to the world.

Her therapist told her survivor guilt was common in people who’d lost a loved one. Especially when the loved one was someone like Zachary Eldridge, a boy who’d been on track to be a phenomenal artist. His work and friendship had given her all her best ideas for what would one day become her celebrated social media feed—touted as creative and artistic, appealing to multiple sensibilities. Without him, she felt like a fraud.

Sometimes she hoped for her downfall to come sooner rather than later. Because maybe then, when she wasn’t on top of the world, she wouldn’t battle the sensation that she didn’t belong there every single day.

Gage paced the high-roller suite in Desmond’s casino. He knew whatever Weston Rivera had reported to Desmond, the news was important if it warranted a meeting. He’d been the first to arrive, and one of the resort’s support staff was still in the suite to ensure the hookups were live for a video conference with Miles, Weston and Alec, the partners who couldn’t attend in person.

Pausing by the billiard table in the middle of the suite, Gage rolled the cue ball back and forth between his palms. The lake glittered bright blue outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, while indoors the fire in a smooth stone hearth warmed the room. A wooden bar cart had been rolled in from the wine cellar containing a few select bottles and—thankfully—Gage’s preferred bourbon.

He poured himself a glass, trying not to think about Elena’s news this morning.

She hadn’t taken the bribe.

He knew in his gut as soon as she’d said it that it was the truth. He should have known it—if not at the time, when he’d assumed the worst of her, then shortly afterward when she’d left in a fury. It turned out she hadn’t been furious with his father for offering to pay her off to make her leave Gage’s life. She’d been livid with Gage for believing she could be bought.

Tipping back the measure of aged Kentucky bourbon, he set the stopper back in the decanter and turned away from the bar in time to see Jonah and Desmond enter together. Desmond thanked the AV staff member before dismissing her.

“What gives?” Gage barked more sharply than he’d intended.