Page 25 of Darkest Deception

My eyes burn, and I blink away any trace of emotion from my face. My genial mask is firmly back in place when security greets me and guides me towards the grand doors of the venue.

The strong rose scent of my mother reaches my senses before I see her standing next to me.

“Follow me,” she whispers.

Her heels click on the white marble, and I demurely follow her, as I have been doing my whole life.

I remain by her side and dutifully greet each and every person she introduces me to, my mind numb, silent, and hazy as I see nothing and everything at once.

The shine, the flaunt of money, the people. It’s all a blur.

“This is my daughter, Ambrose.” She pushes me in front of them.

“Pleasure to meet you.” I greet each of them with a smile, then ask them about their business, their family, their favourite hobby. I have a file on almost every person in this room.

My mother and my father didn’t let me slack in this department.

The chatter is loud, and faint music flows through the room. I engage in all the pleasantries, aware that even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to ask any of them for help. If something didn’t benefit them, they wouldn’t look twice.

Diamonds twinkle around throats, in earlobes, and around wrists, and crisp suits and beautiful dresses adorn the guests. I slowly move my gaze across it all, pausing on a man who is talking to the mayor of London.

He’s tall and has dark hair and sharp features. A calm expression rests on his face as he sips his champagne.

Remo Cainn.

I quickly look around him. Is Aurora here too? She’s never liked events like this. She wouldn’t be here, and I can’t see her.

Remo looks up, and I get caught looking. I tip my head before turning back to Talia Lonan, the daughter of one of the deputy mayors of London, Hayes Lonan.

“These events give me a serious headache sometimes. Do you feel that too?” she mutters, rubbing her forehead with well-manicured fingers and flashing the gold on her wrist. She’s dressed in an impeccable, fitted silver dress with a V-neck and thick straps.

She’s ten years younger than me, at twenty years old, but her beauty and elegance are unmatched. I like her. She’s always at every event I am invited to, but she is also a confident woman who I sometimes fear is too bold and daring for this society.

To be in this circle, one must hold a certain power within London. To be here is to be among the most elite. The most powerful families and political figures mingle, hide their fucked-up actions, and call it a day, knowing their colleagues will cover and vouch for them. Being a powerful and influential businessman or woman does not require a good heart. It usually involves the spilling of blood and a black heart.

It’s no surprise that Remo’s here, nor that we are invited to these parties now that Mum has made acquaintances with the Anta family. Even if it came at the cost of tying me to Darci. While Remo is here, we haven’t always been involved, which is exactly what Dad died trying to do. Funny how Mum is the one who got us here.

“It is. I don’t know how these parties are always this long.” I take another sip of my water, trying to keep my mind cool.

“Come with me. There is a small door leading out to the back. We can get some air before coming back in here.”

Linking my arm with hers, she drags me with her, weaving through the crowd, turning men’s heads everywhere she goes. Their gazes then take me in, too.

I can feel their hungry eyes, even if I don’t turn my head.

I think Talia is the only person here whom I can tolerate. She is quite fearless. She doesn’t throw jabs at me, doesn’t talk about anything other than light gossip, which just makes her easy to be around.

And I allow myself to breathe with her.

She pushes the fire exit door open, and we walk out. I let out a big breath, taking in the cold air. Light droplets of rain fall on us, and a soft gust of wind blows our hair.

“Thank God. I was about to die of suffocation in there.”

Talia playfully slaps my arm, chuckling. “Don’t be dramatic like that. I thought you would be used to this. You’ve been doing this for longer than I have.”

I shake my head at her words. She couldn’t be more wrong.

“So… I know I don’t usually gossip, but I heard a little something.” She turns her head towards me, leaning against the cool wall of the venue.

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