Page 67 of Closer

This is no use. We need to fix this soon so I can get back to conquering my princess.

“We are already on it,” I say. “We’ve got eyes on Oliver, and we’re gathering evidence to take him down. Legally.” And not so legally.

“What about tonight?”

“We have people keeping an eye on things.”

“Wait. So you already knew?”

“Kind of.”

Her shoulders sag, and she averts her gaze.

I tilt her chin up with my finger until her eyes meet mine. “Hey, we’re going to make sure she’s safe, okay? I promise you that.”

She searches my face, and I swear there’s a flicker of something else beneath the concern. Something raw and vulnerable that makes my heart ache. But then she blinks, and it’s gone, replaced by a hardened resolve. “What can I do to help?”

“Nothing. You’ve done enough by coming here.”

“But—”

“Lil, please. Let us handle this.” My tone is firm, but not unkind. “I don’t want you getting caught up in this mess.”

She looks like she wants to argue, but then she sighs, her shoulders slumping again. “Fine. But promise me you’ll keep me updated?”

“Of course.” I reach out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ll always keep you in the loop, princess.”

Her voice is soft, tinged with reluctance as she steps back. “I should go.”

“Yeah.” I shove my hands in my pockets, wrestling with the need to pull her back into my arms. “But Lil?”

She pauses, her hand on the doorknob. “Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

A ghost of a smile flickers across her face. “You’re welcome.” And then she’s gone, leaving me alone with the lingering scent of chocolate.

Let’s do this. I want my princess back.

My eyes sweep across the crowd of the gala, taking in every face, searching for a specific one. Elijah is beside me, whiskey in hand.

I clink my glass with his. “You look like you’re having a wonderful time.”

“Thrilled beyond measure.”

I follow his gaze, which is glued to my sister. She’s beside that snake Oliver, playing the role of a doting wife.

“Quite the performance.” I take a swig of my drink.

“It’s fucking torture,” Elijah says.

“Not for long anymore.”

Tonight, justice will be served. Whatever the cost.

My eyes drift back to the crowd, searching for Lil. I spot her across the room, looking absolutely stunning in a black dress. Our eyes meet, and the rest of the world fades away.

Brandon sidles up to the bar then, eyeing the crowd. “Spymaster and Codecracker, reporting for duty.”

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