Page 156 of Dance of Deception

“Angela,” the blonde grins, blushingly holding out a hand, like Vaughn’s going to kiss it. Let’s be real, that’s not outside the realm of possibly when it comes to Vaughn, but on this occasion, he ignores it.

“Want to ditch your date and join our party instead?” he purrs.

Roman’s brow furrows as he glances at Angela and then glares at Vaughn. “The fuck is your problem?”

“Relax,” Vaughn grins, looking right at Roman. “I was talking to you, not her.”

I snort. Bianca turns to hide her giggle in Kratos’ shoulder. Roman scowls, his face darkening.

“Yeah,pass.”

“Why?”

Roman’s brows knit as he stares up at Vaughn. “Because I’mstraight?”

Vaughn’s lips curl devilishly into a hungry grin. “Now who told you my favorite dirty talk?”

“Jesus Christ,” Roman grunts, rolling his eyes and shaking his head as Vaughn blows him an air kiss, then drags his two dates to an empty spot around the table.

I glance around. “I’ll grab the next round. What’s everyone want?”

I stand as they all shout at once. Carmine’s hands stay on me until the last second, and after he reluctantly releases me I weave through the crowd toward the bar.

I order from the bartender and lean against the counter, waiting, tapping my nails against the wood. The TV above the bar flickers, but I don’t pay much attention. It’s been basketball all night. Yawn.

I collect the drinks and turn back toward the group?—

And something in the air shifts.

There's a sudden silence at the table even before I get there. Bianca and Kratos have gone still. Roman’s jaw is clenched, and Vaughn’s easy grin has faded.

And then I see Carmine.

His entire body is rigid, eyes glued to the screen above the bar behind me.

Something cold slithers down my spine. Before I can stop myself I turn, just as the bartender turns up the volume and people crowd around the bar.

“To recap our breaking news, authorities have discovered a hidden underground bunker beneath a rented single family home in Newark, New Jersey, which bears striking similarities to the infamous lair of convicted serial killer and rapist Arkadi Ostrov.”

No.

“Inside the bunker, police recovered the bodies of two young women. Restraints, cages, and professional-grade recording equipment were also found, mirroring the chilling setup in Ostrov’s previous crimes. Investigators say this new discovery could substantiate the claims made by missing conspiracy podcaster Marcus Chen, who has repeatedly suggested that Ostrov may not, in fact, be dead.”

The world tilts.

The drinks in my hands crash to the floor in an explosion of shattered glass.

No.

No, no, no.

“Dude, I swear, that’s fucking HER.”

“Oh my God, theOstrovachick?”

“What,here?!”

“Holy shit, get a picture! That’s totally her!”

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