Page 61 of Unholy Nights

But first, I need to see her. My Emerald. My reason for breathing.

I turn toward the grand staircase and time freezes. Emerald appears at the top, golden tulle catching the light with every movement, making her look like she's floating as she descends. Her dark hair falls in perfect waves around her shoulders, the ivory silk and full skirt transforming her into an angel stepping down from heaven directly into my darkness.

"Cohen." My name falls from her lips like a prayer as she reaches the bottom step, and the sound nearly brings me to my knees. Her eyes find mine and reality fractures, shattering until there's nothing left but her. Until she's the only thing that exists in my universe.

"Little one." I reach for her, my hands finding her waist above the clouds of tulle like they belong there. Like they've always belonged there. "You're devastating."

A blush stains her cheeks as she leans into me, her body fitting against mine like we're two pieces of the same whole. "I've missed you," she whispers, and I feel the words in my soul. "Even just these few hours... it hurt."

"I know." I press my lips to her forehead, breathing her in.Sugar cookies and innocence and mine. "But after tonight, we never have to be apart again. I promise."

She shivers, her fingers curling into my jacket. "What's going to happen?"

"Justice." I tip her chin up, drowning in green eyes that hold my entire universe. "Are you ready?"

She nods without hesitation, trust shining in her gaze. "As long as I'm with you."

"Always." I steal a quick kiss, careful not to smudge her lipstick or let anyone see. The timing needs to be right for Madeline to find out about us. "Now come. We have a party to attend."

The sound of breaking glass carries from the ballroom. "Mother's probably terrorizing the staff about the crystal display she designed specifically for tonight."

I smile, dark satisfaction curling through me. "Let her have her moment. Soon, none of this will matter."

Hand in hand, we move toward the party. Toward destiny. Toward the future I've spent two years orchestrating.

Everything is in place. Everyone is exactly where they need to be.

The ballroom is a masterpiece of Madeline's twisted imagination—an ethereal fusion of frost and starlight. Crystal icicles float mid-air, suspended on invisible wires while white roses bloom from sculpted ice. Shards of mirrors catch and scatter light in mesmerizing patterns across the walls, making the massive space feel like the inside of a diamond. Even I have to admit it's breathtaking, innovative in that way that will have every socialite in the Pacific Northwest scrambling to copy it by New Year's.

As we enter, Emerald is immediately swept away by Katherine Ashworth and her circle, all of them cooing over her dress. The separation is physical torture, but I force myself to let her go. Instead, I claim the high-backed chair near the grandfireplace, positioning myself where I can observe everything—but mostly her.

The Savage Six are already making their presence felt. Cole and Lucas stand in matching black suits by the bar, a statement just by being here. Tristen has drawn a crowd of admirers, though his attention keeps drifting to his phone. Romeo's tattoos peek above his collar as he talks with Beckett, both of them looking like wolves among Madeline's pampered sheep. And Xander prowls the edges of the room, his mismatched eyes and restless energy making the socialites nervous as he fidgets with his collar, unable to stay still.

But my focus is solely on Emerald as she moves through the crowd, playing the role her mother crafted for her one last time. Every cell in my body screams to go to her, to keep her by my side where she belongs. The physical pain of our separation claws at my chest even though she's only yards away.

She feels it too. I can tell by the way she keeps glancing my direction, by how she drifts closer whenever she can, like we're magnets being pulled together. Even across the room, I can see the subtle tremor in her hands, the slight hitch in her breathing when too many people separate us.

"Quite the turnout." Madeline appears beside my chair, her voice dripping artificial warmth. She's wearing white, as cold and sharp as the woman herself. "I trust you're planning to be social tonight?"

I don't bother looking at her. My eyes are fixed on Emerald as she accepts a champagne flute from a passing waiter, and every muscle in my body goes rigid. But then she sets it on a side table without taking a sip, and the tension bleeds from my shoulders. "I'm exactly where I need to be."

She follows my gaze, her lips tightening when she sees who I'm watching. "You seem very focused on my daughter lately."

"Do I?" Now I do turn to her, letting her see just a glimpse of the darkness she invited into her home. "How observant of you."

Something flashes in her eyes—uncertainty? Fear? But before she can respond, the Montgomerys arrive. I watch with dark satisfaction as she's forced to play hostess, welcoming Daniel Jr. and his parents with that plastic smile she's perfected.

Emerald tenses when she spots Daniel, but I'm already on top of the situation. One look at Cole has him intercepting the spoiled heir before he can get within ten feet of what's mine.

"Cohen." Emerald's relief is palpable as she reaches for me, propriety forgotten. I pull her against me, not caring who sees. Let them look. Let them whisper. Soon they'll all know anyway.

"Come here, little one." I guide her to my chair, settling her on my lap. She curls into me immediately, like she's finally able to breathe. I know the feeling. "Better?"

"Yes." She presses closer, her head tucking under my chin. "I hate being away from you. It feels wrong. Like my skin doesn't fit right."

"I know." My hand slides to her lower back. "But it's almost over."

Her fingers play with my tie, and I have to bite back a groan at the innocent touch. "Promise?"

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