Chapter 3 The club's entrance parted before us like the Red Sea , money and power had that effect . Inside , crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over Italian marble floors and velvet lounges . The city's elite mingled in designer suits and cocktail dresses , their jewelry catching the light like stars . sa I spotted several familiar faces , judges , politicians , business moguls . All of them nodded in deference as we passed . The dance floor pulsed with bodies moving to the beat , darkness providing cover for wandering hands and stolen kisses . We claimed a private booth overlooking the floor . A waitress materialized instantly with a bottle of top - shelf champagne . " Only the best for tonight's celebration . " Primo poured three flutes . His fingers . brushed mine as he handed me a glass . The champagne bubbles tickled my throat . 80 % 19:01 1/7 Chapter 3 I watched Yesha take delicate sips , red lipstick marking her glass like blood . " Dance with me ? " Primo extended his hand , that familiar half - smile playing on his lips . I swirled the champagne in my glass . " Not feeling it right now . You two go ahead . " " Oh , poor thing must be tired from all the excitement today . " Yesha's sympathy dripped like honey - coated poison . " I'll keep Primo company on the dance floor . You rest . " " Of course . " I muttered . " Hmm ? " She tilted her head at my response . " Nothing . " I waved my hand . " You're right , I am tired . Go enjoy yourselves . " Yesha didn't need to be told twice . She practically dragged Primo toward the dance floor . I watched them disappear into the crowd , his hand was already low on her 80 % 19:01 217 Chapter 3 waist . I nursed my champagne , watching the dance floor below . Yesha pressed herself against Primo , her hands sliding up his chest . His fingers dug into her hips , pulling her closer . They thought the darkness hid them . It didn't . Their lips met in what they probably imagined was a discreet kiss . I took another sip , deliberately turning my head away when they glanced up at my booth . The champagne had lost its sparkle , tasting flat on my tongue . Through the mirror behind the bar , I watched them continue , emboldened by my apparent disinterest . Yesha's head tipped back as Primo's mouth found her neck . " What is such a beautiful woman doing here alone ? " The voice was deep , rich like aged whiskey . 80 % 19:01 3/7 I turned to find a tall figure standing at the entrance of my booth . The soft lighting caught the sharp planes of his face . " May I offer you a drink ? " he asked . My first instinct was to dismiss him as another club prowler , but something in his gray eyes gave me pause . There was no predatory gleam , no desperate need to prove himself . Just quiet confidence and … something else I couldn't quite name . was I glanced back at the dance floor . Why I sitting here alone , playing the loyal girlfriend ? For a man who couldn't keep his hands off my supposed best friend ? My lips curved into a smile . " I'd like that . " He slid into the seat across from me with fluid grace . " Adrian Constantine , " he introduced himself with a slight incline of his head . "Asteria Mitchell , " I replied , studying his reaction . 80 % 10.01 4/7 Chapter 3 " Ah , from the Mitchell family ? The logistics . and transport company ? " His tone carried genuine interest rather than the usual social climbing attempts I encountered . I nodded , a practiced smile gracing my lips . Like most things in our world , the company was just the surface , the acceptable face we showed to society . Underneath ran rivers of blood money and power . The real empire operated in shadows . " Impressive , " Adrian said , and something in his eyes told me he understood more than he let on . " What about you ? Family business ? " I asked , taking another sip of my drink . " I'm an orphan , actually . Made my own way as an art dealer ." He swirled the amber liquid in his glass . " Specializing in rare and historical pieces . " Before I could respond , loud whistles cut through our conversation . A group of men 80 % 19:01 5/7 81 Chapter 3 had gathered at the entrance to our booth , their eyes raking over me with undisguised hunger . " Hey beautiful , why waste time with this guy ? " One called out , emboldened by alcohol and ignorance of who I really was . In the legitimate world , I was just another pretty face . I maintained my composure , I'd handled worse . But something shifted in the air beside me . Adrian's presence turned arctic , his hair falling over his eyes as he set his glass down with deliberate care . He rose smoothly and approached the group . His voice dropped so low I had to strain to hear it : " Gentlemen , I'm going to give your exactly thirty seconds to leave . After that , I'll have your tongues cut out and fed to you , piece by piece , while you watch your families suffer the same fate . And that's just the beginning of your very long , very painful evening . " The temperature seemed to drop several 80 % 19.01 6/7 Chapter 3 degrees . The men stumbled backward , faces draining of color as they practically ran from the booth .