DARE

Three grand on Crue. After Mace’s wedding.

REMY

Cassia won’t be happy.

She’s already pissed. Maybe I’ll let you hit me just to see her smile.

CRUE

Should I extort someone into marriage? I’m having FOMO.

DARE

You’re an idiot.

CRUE

Come on, man, I’m serious. I think I’m having a quarter-life crisis.

You could get married tomorrow. Don’t act like you’re hard up for women.

CRUE

They’re all groupies. I hate it.

DARE

You seem to be enjoying yourself.

The dude has a new girlfriend at least a few times a year. I think he has woman-specific ADHD. Another message hits my phone, and I switch to it.

VIVIAN

The dress is delivered. I’ll be back around 7:00.

Perfect. Thank you so much, Vivian.

Vivian Carlisle is one of the best wedding dress designers in NYC, and she owed me a personal favor after I helped her find the man who hacked her computer and stole her designs. I never asked what happened to the man, and she never said, but I have a guess. The fashion world is vicious. Most industries are once you get high enough up the food chain.

The key is to be at the top.

One of these days, I’ll dethrone my father and take control of Rex Technologies. That’s the only way to make sure my sisters and mom are safe for good.

fourteen

CASSIA

Elliot drops me and Tony off at the front door of Mace’s mini-mansion. Tony says bye and heads to the guard station. I stare up at the obnoxious home, eyes narrowing. Tonight is my last night as Cassia Harris.

The front door opens. I expect to see a staff member, but Mace is leaning against the threshold, watching me. Those eyes are impossible to read.

“How was your day?”

I exhale and head up the steps. “Don’t do that.”

He takes up the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest. “Do what?”