All Donovan had said was the event was for charity and would be taking place at the social club that his and his friends’ parents belonged to. The mandatory tux had tipped me off that it was fancier than my usual hangouts, but what I was looking at right now blew all of what I’d expected out of the water.

The white four-story building took up at least half the block, and spotlights lit up the massive façade, but it was the wrought-iron gates punctuated by thick columns that caught and held my attention. They were at least a couple of stories tall, separating the building from the mere mortals, with a courtyard just beyond it.

It looked like something out of a gilded old New York, and suddenly I wondered what the hell I’d gotten myself into.

“Terrible, right?” Donovan said, grinning at me.

“Jesus Christ, Donovan, how rich are you?”

“Haven’t you heard what everyone calls them?” JT said as Scotty opened the door and the others began to file out. “The Park Avenue Princes.”

I blinked. “The what?”

JT smirked as West rolled his eyes. “Yeah, everyone at Astor calls them that. Because they own practically all of Manhattan. Or at least the Upper East Side.”

I raised a brow at Donovan. “Is that right?”

He shrugged, a smile playing on his lips, which told me everything I needed to know.

No wonder he’d been so adamant about wearing a damn mask. If this group found out what he was up to in his spare time, I couldn’t imagine they’d approve.

As the last of the group stepped out of the limo, Donovan started forward, but I tugged on his hand.

He looked back at me and frowned.“What is it?”

“I have no problem with any of this,” I said. “But is this a good idea? For you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m not wearing a mask. It won’t be a secret who I am, and if even one person finds out, what does that mean for you?”

Donovan’s jaw tightened and he stepped forward, hovering over me. His fingers were firm as he took my chin in hand. “I don’t give a fuck.”

Then, to make his point, he brought his lips down on mine in a kiss that was anything but sweet. It was resolute, a fierce promise that he wanted me on his arm no matter what, and damn if that didn’t have my heart stopping and starting again.

I climbed out of the limo, and Donovan sidled in close to me, placing a palm on my chest.“You look so damn handsome.” He leaned back and gave me a thorough once-over. “Don’t eventhinkabout leaving my side tonight.”

I slipped my hand into his, and we made our way toward a—

Shit, was that a red carpet?

As though he sensed my moment of trepidation, Donovan tightened his fingers around mine as he flashed a beatific smile my way. Jesus, I’d do anything for that smile. He knew it, too, judging by the way he led me toward the line of photographers snapping photos of the elite turnout for tonight’s event.

Several of Donovan’s friends went ahead of us, East saluting the crowd with a half-full martini glass, no doubt living up to whatever reputation the press had bestowed upon his pompous ass. But I had to give him credit—he went all in with the rich upperclassman angle. One look at him in the classic tux with his prim and proper bow tie and you knew that smug smile belonged to someone who knew nothing but luxury.

Travis stood in front of us, grumbling something about the sleeves of his shirt under his jacket, and Donovan leaned forward to say, “Quit fiddling. You look hot. The velvet jacket is to die for.”

Travis glanced back at us, and I nodded. “He’s right. You look like a sexy rocker.”

“Oh yeah?” Travis’s lip curled as he looked between the two of us. “Just how sexy?”

“Notthatsexy,” Donovan said, shoving him toward the red carpet. “You’re up.”

“Well, I am now. Thanks for that. It better not show in my photos.”

“Just go.” Donovan pointed, and Travis sauntered out, stopping in front of the signage for the charity and flashing a killer smolder. Cameras clicked, lights flashed, and funnily enough, the press treated Travis like the rock star he presented.

It was amazing what money could do. These guys were all students at college, and yet the town treated them like they were celebrities…or royalty.