Page 61 of Fatal Bonds

“Well then, we’ll just have to hope for the best,” I state. “Be ready until the last minute—just in case he does decide to show—and if it comes down to it, we’ll just have to find another opportunity.”

Lucian growls in frustration but gives a nod of agreement before signaling his men to return to their posts.

As I head back to the gala, that now-familiar sense of guilt-riddled anticipation coils in my belly. I will get Kira the vengeance she deserves, and I want to put Emiliano six feet under, but maybe—just maybe—I can have a few more stolen weeks with Lindsey.

When I enter the main ballroom, it’s easy to tell that the guests have started to call it an evening. The dance floor is significantly less crowded than when I left, and it’s not hard to find Lindsey standing by the bar in her knockout red dress. She seems to have made some friends while I was gone as she chats with two masked women who speak animatedly as they face her. I can’t quite make out her Lindsey’s expression beneath the mask, but based on the way she’s savaging her lower lip, I’m going to say the conversation isn’t going the way she wants it to, and I take a step in her direction, ready to cut in and invite her back onto the dance floor.

Then something catches my attention from the corner of my eye—a man in a green-and-gold paisley sport jacket. His gray hair is freshly cut and styled, his gold mask perched across his face, and even from this distance, I recognize Emiliano. He’s made his appearance—finally. But what turns my blood cold is the way he’s watching Lindsey. His expression is hungry, his eyes intent, and from the way he’s watching her, I’m confident that he knows who she is.

“Fuck,” I hiss, forcing my way through the crowd toward her. Our plan just got blown wide open—and that means Lindsey’s in danger.

26

LINDSEY

My skin tingles, my stomach sinking as I watch Maks leave with Lucian’s man. For a moment there, I was so swept up in the fantasy, I could have forgotten why we were even here, but as I stand alone on the dance floor, it sits heavily on my chest. His eyes track me all the way out the door, and like an idiot, I stay rooted to the spot until he disappears around the corner. Only when a couple accidentally collides with me as they dance to the next song do I realize I’m in the way.

“Sorry,” I apologize, scrambling to safety. Then I release my breath as I head toward the quartz-topped counter with shelves of wine and liquor on display behind it.

I shouldn’t let it bother me that Maks still doesn’t trust me. I’ve given him no reason to think I won’t cause problems. I just wish, for our last night together, we might have been able to put our issues behind us. But I suppose that’s too much to ask—especially when tonight, for him, is about Emiliano, even if we managed to have some fun.

Approaching the open bar, I give the bartender a smile when he turns to take my order. “Can I just get a water? Lots of ice, please.”

“Sure thing.” He pours it into a wine glass because everything here is fancy and passes me my drink with a polite nod.

Sipping on the chilled liquid and chomping on the ice, I turn to watch the dancers. Never, in a million years, would I have thought I would enjoy that kind of dancing as much as I have.But being in Maks’s arms, floating across the floor with everyone else?It felt magical. I doubt I could recreate the steps without him, but nothing has ever made me feel more like a princess.

Everything about tonight has me rethink my decision. It’s a good thing Lucian’s man interrupted us, because I came far too close to telling Maks I want to stay with him. Logically, I know that’s a terrible decision, but when I’m with him, none of the reasons I should leave seem to matter. I wonder what he would do if I did say I want to stay—if he would try to convince me to go to New York, if he would stand by his word and be my husband to protect me. I can’t imagine he wants that in the long run, and I know that it would be putting my baby at unnecessary risk, which is why I’m glad Lucian’s man stopped me from doing something I might regret. But still, for one magical moment, it felt like this could be my happy ending.

Shaking my head at my silly, girlish thoughts, I stare down at my glass of water then take another drink.

“Lindsey?”

My head turns automatically toward the incredulous voice, and my heart skips a beat as I realize my mistake a moment too late. Iknowthat voice, and being recognized here at the gala is the last thing I need. But I can’t take it back now, so I force my lips into a smile as I turn to face Claire. Annie’s beside her at the bar, where it looks like they’re getting fresh drinks. Each clasp a tall flute of champagne as they look at me with open interest.

“Claire, Annie. Hey,” I say, discomfort warming my cheeks.

Claire looks beautiful in a gold wrap dress, her delicate gold mask a perfect match for her outfit. Annie, on the other hand, is dressed in a knee-length sage-green sheath dress with a low scoop neck and a cutout that puts the majority of her flat midriff on display. Her black cat mask is just as flirty as her outfit. Both look adorable, and entirely too excited to see me.

“Oh my god, it is you!” Claire squeals, shuffling over to hug me.

“It’s me,” I say less enthusiastically as I cringe inside thinking about how long they probably think I’ve been ignoring them if not flat-out playing hooky. “How are you girls doing? How’s work?”

“I mean, we should be asking you that, shouldn’t we? But you sure don’t look sick. How are you feeling?” Annie asks as Claire releases me and she steps in to give me a squeeze.

“Much better,” I assure them.

“You must be if you decided to comethis,” Claire teases, and my stomach squirms at the underlying implication—that I’m not sick at all, which is closer to the truth than I’m comfortable admitting.

“What are you two doing here tonight? Did you bid in the silent auction?” We might have cushy salaries at Keen Edge, but I can’t imagine either of them make enough to afford a night like tonight. The only reason I’m here is because Maks was willing to pay for my ticket. I had to max out my card just so we could get into the event.

“Claire’s dad got us in,” Annie says.

“Since he’s a manager for the convention center, they give him tickets every year, but he and my mom are in Greece right now, so he let me bring a friend,” Claire adds.

“Oh, nice.” Trying to hide my discomfort, I keep my smile plastered to my face. It really is good to see my work friends again, but I’m supposed to be flying under the radar, and with everything that’s happening tonight, I really don’t want anyone to see them with me.

“So, if you’re feeling better, does that mean you’ll be coming back to the office soon?” Annie grasps my hand affectionately. Then she freezes, her eyes going wide as her arm stiffens, her fingers pressing into my palm. “Um, what the hell is this?” she asks, jerking my hand up to eye level so she can take a look at my wedding ring.

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