His eyes dart around the room, taking in each person. He lingers on some, nods at others, but when his eyes finally find mine, he pauses. He seems to stare longer on me than anyone else, but maybe it’s wishful thinking. Maybe it’s the Christmas tree I’m next to that has his interest, or maybe there is someone standing behind me who he’s actually taking in.

Or maybe… just maybe… my own darkness is attracting his. Maybe my fucked-up self is a magnet to jagged edges.

Maybe he likes the silver dress I’m wearing, and it’s hypnotizing him.

Or maybe—and just like that, he looks away.

“I need to go say hello to others and not stand here too long or people may question who you are,” Sasha says. “Promise me you won’t stay for much longer. Uncle Bryant will catch on to who you are if you keep lurking.”

I nod as she walks off to join her family, but I have no intention of leaving just yet. My eyes haven’t left Nick Hudson, and I’m not sure I can simply pull them away.

I see Nick whisper to one of his security guards, and then his attention is diverted elsewhere, and the bubble of hope that I’m the center of his attention is gone. A split second of lustful thoughts, ideals of grandeur, and now I’m just the bastard child… alone.

I sip from my champagne and scan the room again. I no longer can see Hudson as he’s merged into the sea of beautiful people. Lights twinkle all around, and yet, I’ve never felt so lost in the dark.

And then I see the grim reaper himself enter the party, his head going side to side searching.

Fuck.

The Sidorov family’s soldier is here. Maxim is here. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Is he here simply because it’s a Morelli party or… could he be looking for me to collect the money owed?

I know the answer.

Me. He wants me.

Well… he’s here for me or money. And since I have no money…

He’s on the hunt, and it’s only a matter of time until he sniffs me out.

Why did I come to this party? My obsession with the Morelli family is going to get me killed. I should already be in hiding. I should…

It’s too late now.

He’s standing near the only exit I’m aware of, and most likely he’s not alone. My guess is he’s already found my car, and has men patrolling outside just waiting for me to walk into their trap. He’ll do this in a dignified matter. No one is foolish enough to ruin a Morelli party, which is why I know they are going to wait for me to leave.