Page 73 of Us Dark Few

She immediately spotted Governor Huxley.

His pristine, white suit was a statement in itself. He stood a foot taller than everyone and held himself like he owned the room and everyone in it.

He flashed a heart-stopping grin as he chatted with two women inthe corner, both dressed in pastel ballgowns that cinched their waists into unbelievably narrow proportions.

Was breathing for the poor too?

A line of people indiscreetly formed behind the skinny women laughing obnoxiously loud, waiting for a chance to speak with Alexander Huxley.

Khalani lowered the plate, trying to hide her head, and entered the lounge.

She approached people with the tray of drinks, avoiding the corner where the Governor stood. No one made eye contact with her as they grabbed champagne glasses and continued their conversations.

It was almost too easy to be invisible.

That was fine by Khalani. She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The lavishness of the party, the mansion, and the opulent guests made her uncomfortable. She couldn’t place a finger on what it was, but her hair stood on end like her body knew she was in a den of hungry monsters.

She recognized one of the councilmen from the street cleanup.

Wyatt, that was his name. The one who argued with Governor Huxley about the Death-Zoner.

He also appeared to recognize her because he gave her an icy stare as he grabbed the last champagne glass on her plate.

“Get going,” he hissed.

Khalani put her head down, only too happy to oblige. She tucked the serving platter under her arm as she exited the room. When Khalani reached the foyer, she took a deep breath, feeling as if she’d just navigated a minefield.

She found herself halted in front of the alluring painting of a woman. Her simpering gaze seemed to pierce through Khalani, as if she knew all her deepest secrets.

She leaned in closer to the painting, studying the strange backgroundbehind the dark-haired figure.

“Do you like the painting?” Alexander Huxley’s voice drifted over her left shoulder. Her body tensed, and a chill shot through her like a stray bullet. She hadn’t even heard him approach.

“Governor Huxley,” Khalani breathed out shakily as his liquid-blue eyes locked onto her own. “I didn’t mean to…I was on my way back to the kitchen.”

The Governor’s ash-colored hair was gelled back, and his perfect face curved up in a slow smile, highlighting his clear, alabaster skin and strong jawline as he stepped toward her.

She fought the urge to run away with each sly step he took. Her feet locked in place, and she met his gaze, suppressing every emotion that screamed for her to flee.

“I told you we’d meet again.” Alexander Huxley was only a foot away.

Her brows furrowed at his grin, and she clutched the empty tray with a death grip, preparing to use it as a weapon.

It might be one of her only chances to hurt him.

Imagining his face bleeding beneath her fists filled her body with sweet anticipation.

She glanced to the left and noticed an armed guard at the front entrance, too far for hearing distance but close enough to shoot her at the first sign of aggression. Despite herself, Takeshi’s warning rang in her mind.

“A smart person knows when to choose their battles.”

Her teeth clenched, and it was like Takeshi—the bane of her existence—was there, reminding her to be smart. She wanted to curse becausefuck, she knew he was right. If Khalani attacked the Governor there, she’d be shot within a second.

And she could hardly kill him with a serving plate.

“And what an honor this meeting is.” Khalani plastered on a smile, trying to remain calm while plotting a gruesome death in her mind. “But I really should be getting back.”

“Not quite yet.” Alexander smirked. He tilted his head as if he were studying something amusing.

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