Page 1 of Toxic

ONE

DEVIN’S 18TH BIRTHDAY

The hotel ballroom is a kaleidoscope of masks and shimmering gowns, a dizzying display of wealth and excess. But I barely register any of it. My entire being is focused on her—Devin West.

It’s her 18th birthday, and this lavish masquerade ball is supposedly in her honor, but she’s tucked away in a shadowy corner as if trying to disappear into the ornate wallpaper.

The soft amber lights catch on her emerald mask, highlighting those striking green eyes that seem to take in everything and nothing at once. Her gown, a deep forest green that makes her pale skin glow, clings to curves I’m finding impossible to ignore. Dark hair cascades down her back in loose waves, and I’m seized by the urge to run my fingers through it.

I adjust my own mask, a sleek black design that matches my tailored suit. This is my first major event since taking over the family business, and the Rivers-West connection is too important to ignore. But business, for once, is the furthest thing from my mind.

Devin shifts slightly, and I’m mesmerized by the graceful movement. She leans in to whisper something to my sisterOlivia, her best friend. It’s the most animation I’ve seen from her all night, and I find myself straining to catch even a whisper of her voice.

“Hawk,” my uncle John and his son Thomas stop beside me. “Didn’t think you’d make it.”

I glance at them before going back to watching Devin and Olivia. “Why not?”

“This isn’t usually your scene, cousin,” Thomas says. There’s a slight sneer in his tone.

I glance at them again. “You don’t know me enough to know myscene,” I say, my voice dead cold.

My uncle clears his throat. “Yeah, well, when you have time, I’d like to talk to you about a project I think could be beneficial-”

I don’t bother looking at them. “I’m not interested.”

“You don’t even know-” Thomas tries to intervene.

I glance at them again. “I said,” I state with steel in my voice, “I’m not interested.”

I dismiss them and go back to watching Devin.

“Mr. Rivers,” a voice intrudes, and I tear my gaze away to find some faceless guest trying to engage me in conversation. I give him curt responses, my attention constantly drawn back to Devin like a magnet to true north.

She stands suddenly, excusing herself from Olivia. As she slips out of the ballroom, I make my decision in an instant.

“Excuse me,” I mutter to the man still talking at me, not caring if it’s rude. I follow Devin’s path, keeping a discreet distance. The scent of her perfume—something floral with an underlying musk—lingers in the air, guiding me.

The hotel hallway outside is quieter, the sounds of the party muffled by thick carpet and heavy doors. I’m about to call out to her when I hear voices around the corner—sharp, cruel voices that make me pause.

“Well, well, well. Look who it is,” a girl’s voice sneers. I recognize it immediately as Regina Black, Devin’s cousin and notorious mean girl. “The birthday girl herself, sneaking away from her own party. What’s wrong, freak? Can’t handle a little attention?”

I peer around the corner, and the scene before me makes my blood boil. Regina and two other girls—I vaguely recognize them as Brittany and Tasha—have Devin cornered. Their masks are pushed up, revealing faces twisted with malice.

“I—I just needed some air,” Devin says softly, her eyes downcast. The tremor in her voice ignites a protective fury in me.

Regina laughs, the sound grating and cruel. “Air? Please. You’re pathetic. Mommy and Daddy spent all this money on your stupid birthday, and for what? You’re still the same awkward little nobody.”

“God, it’s embarrassing just looking at you,” Brittany chimes in, her voice dripping with disdain. “Did you really think a fancy dress would make people actually like you?”

Tasha nods, a vicious smile on her face. “As if. You know what everyone’s saying in there? That it’s a waste. That you don’t deserve any of this.”

“Face it, Devin,” Regina says, stepping closer. “You’re nothing but a disappointment. To your family, to everyone. Why don’t you do us all a favor and just disappear?”

She shoves Devin, hard. Devin stumbles back, her back hitting the wall with a soft thud. And something in me snaps.

Before I know it, I’m striding forward, my voice a low, dangerous growl. “Get away from her. Now!”

The girls whirl around, their eyes widening as they recognize me. Regina pales visibly but quickly tries to compose herself. “Hawk!” she exclaims, her voice suddenly syrupy sweet. “Wewere just having a little chat with our dear cousin. Girl talk, you know how it is.”

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