Page 53 of I See You

They couldn’t deny one thing—they looked good as hell tonight.

Thecarfilledwithlaughterandconversationastheydrovethrough the city, the energy light, flowing. Sevyn felt relaxed for the first time in weeks, like maybe she could really enjoy herself tonight.

But then her phone rang. Her body stiffened as she pulled it out of her clutch. Her expression hardened instantly when she saw the name flash across the screen.

Ariel.

Her jaw clenched, and she felt her anger rise—but she stayed composed.

She hadn’t seen or heard from Ariel since that night, and honestly, she didn’t know what she would do to her if she ever saw her backstabbing ass again.

Without hesitation, she hit decline and tossed her phone back into her clutch, refusing to let it ruin her night.

She refocused on the conversation, pushing all thoughts of Braxton and Ariel out of her head as they pulled up to Hustle & Flow Casino, the glow of the neon lights illuminating the night.

Sevyn watched as a long line of elegantly dressed guests slowly entered the brightly lit casino, security meticulously patting everyone down before letting them inside.

"Damn… your homeboy some top-notch nigga or something?" Dorian asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity, clearly intrigued by the exclusivity of the event.

Harper laughed lightly, unbothered by the crowd. "Something like that. He takes his birthdays very seriously, and people always come out."

Sevynhadbeentoplentyofhigh-endevents,galas,privatefundraisers,andluxurygatherings—butthiswasdifferent.Thiswasn’t just wealth. This wasn’t just status. It was power. And danger. Thestreetsandtheeliteblendingtogetherinawaythatwas alreadyvolatile.Theairitselffeltcharged,themixofmoneyand criminal influence making her stomach tighten.

She even recognized some politicians—men she had seen in suits at her father’s business meetings, shaking hands, pretending they weren’t just as dirty as the criminals they condemned.

"He owns this casino?" Dorian asked, even more intrigued as the driver came around to open their door.

Harper shrugged, smoothing down her gown. "No, my cousin does. They’re like brothers, so he’s hosting the party at his casino."

That one word—cousin—made Sevyn’s body tense.

Hassan.

His name wasn’t spoken, but she felt it anyway, heard it in her head, like an echo she couldn’t escape.

She hadn’t seen him since that day in her office—since he walked in, took up all her space, and left his presence imprinted on her body like a scar she couldn’t erase.

She had pushed him out of her mind long enough to get through the rest of her workday, but that was temporary.

Because when night came, when she was alone? He was all she could think about.

And that frustrated her more than anything.

Something about him—the danger, the detachment, the coldness— had her wanting to figure him out. Had her wanting to understand what other people seemed to misunderstand about him.

And that? That terrified her.

The driver helped them out one by one, their heels clicking against the pavement as they stepped onto the casino floor. The energy of Hustle & Flow was alive, luxurious, and intoxicating.

Walking hand in hand, they took in the grand scenery—crystal chandeliers, gold accents, and black marble floors reflecting the glow of the neon casino lights.

Sevyn nodded in approval, impressed by the elegance of the space and the crowd that filled it.

Everywhere she looked, people were draped in money, immersed in games of high-stakes poker, roulette, and blackjack. The entire place reeked of power, a blend of real money and street money, each person playing a role in an environment that could turn cutthroat in a second.

"Now, I ain’t new to rich people shit, but damn… this different," Dorian muttered, her eyes scanning the room, taking in the extravagance that was dripping from every detail.

Sevyn nodded in agreement.

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