Page 50 of I See You

Her satin tube-top dress was tight, hugging her thick, short frame like it was painted on, the long slit revealing a toned, chocolate leg thathadnobusinesslookingthatgood.Goldheelsadornedher feet, adding the perfect contrast to the deep red fabric that wrapped around her body.

And then?

There was her hair.

A short black bob, sleek and framing her face flawlessly, making her features even sharper. Even with her black masquerade mask concealing part of her identity, she was still the most beautiful woman in the entire casino.

"Goddamn." Roman murmured under his breath, his tone gritty with approval.

The reaction pulled Hassan’s attention, making him glance over to see what had his best friend so damn mesmerized.

And when his eyes landed on the third woman walking in behind them?

His entire body locked up.

Once his eyes landed on her, his heart did that thump he hated— the one that only happened for her. No other woman, none, had ever pulled that reaction from him. His heart didn’t move for anyone except Harper and his grandmother, but somehow, for her, it did too. And that pissed him off, because it meant he couldn’t control it.

Hassan stood up slightly from the railing, his eyes locked on her from across the casino floor. She hadn’t spotted him yet, but that didn’t stop him from memorizing every inch of what he saw.

Sevyn was wrapped in a black velvet off-the-shoulder gown, the diamond-jeweled bodice catching the soft glow of the chandeliers, making her look untouchable. The way the dress hugged her curves, the way she moved—she didn’t just walk, she glided, like she was meant to be seen but never touched.

Her hair was slicked back into a long, straight ponytail, not a strand out of place, with subtle pearl designs weaved into her hair, adding to the effortless royalty she carried. She was grace. She was poise. And at the same time, she was the most dangerous distraction Hassan had ever come across.

His dick twitched at the sight of her.

Fucking ridiculous.

Even with the silver diamond masquerade mask obscuring part of her face, he could still see her. Still feel her presence.

Roman, noticing Hassan’s unnatural stillness, followed his gaze before letting out an amused chuckle.

"Youjustgon’standthereandeye-fucklikeacreep,orgosay somethin’?" Romanteased, knocking back a sip of his drink.

Hassan’s jaw clenched.Nigga, shut up.

"Man, you know I ain’t that type of nigga," he muttered, eyes finally ripping away from her, though her image was already burned into his mind. He leaned back, reaching for his glass, taking a slow sip of cognac to mask the fire burning in his chest.

Roman laughed again, shaking his head. "Uh-huh. Well, I’m about to go take these niggas’ money, show my baby who just walked in what type of nigga she needs to be next to."

Hassan barely registered what he said. Because all he could think about was her.

Roman walked away, heading downstairs to celebrate his birthday the only way he knew how—by taking money, stealing attention, and making the night his. Hassan, however, remained rooted at the railing, his drink steady in his hand, his energy commanding the entire room without a single word.

"San!"

The smooth, soft voice behind him was instantly recognizable, but he still turned, slow and controlled, already knowing exactly who it belonged to.

"Wassgood, Harper." His tone was calm, effortless, as they embraced briefly, but his focus wasn’t on his cousin.

It was on the woman beside her.

Seeing her up close now, her presence hit him harder than he expected. Her silver diamond mask covered part of her face, but it didn’thidehereyes—thesamewarmgazethathadalwayslooked at him like she saw through him. But tonight? There was something different.

Distance. A subtle shift. Like she was guarding herself from him. As he pulled away from Harper, his gaze flickered between them, realizing something else—one of their friends was missing.

"You remember my friend Sevyn, right?" Harper asked, motioning toward her.

Sevyn stood poised, her silver clutch held close to her body, but Hassan could feel the nervous energy radiating from her.

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