GAME OF SEDUCTION

SHARP CORNERS

By the time I pushed through the heavy glass doors of the Houston University science complex, my lungs were burning.

I clutched the lapels of the oversized designer jacket around my chest, my mind still a chaotic storm. Between sprinting from the bus station and desperately wiping off layers of heavy makeup in a dirty public restroom, I was running on pure adrenaline.

"Camila!"

I gasped, spinning around near the main lockers. Levi was striding toward me down the crowded hallway, his backpack slung over one shoulder, a deep crease of worry carved into his forehead.

"Where were you all night?" Levi demanded, stopping right in front of me and taking in my disheveled state. "I called you four times after midnight! I was out of my mind thinking something happened to you on your way back from that coffee shop."

"Levi, I'm fine—"

"No, you're not fine," he interrupted, lowering his voice as students brushed past us. "Cami, whatever extra shifts you're pulling, it better be worth it. Mason can't handle losing you, too. You're falling behind on sleep, you're falling behind on everything..."

My heart sank into my stomach as his words hit a painful nerve. The money.

A sudden, horrifying realization washed over me like ice water. In my desperate panic to escape Liam's penthouse before blowing my cover, I had completely forgotten to get the payment. The triple-pay cash—the fifteen hundred dollars I needed for Mrs. Gable by tomorrow—was still sitting back in his penthouse.

I had risked everything, sold my soul for a night, and walked away with empty hands.

A wave of utter defeat threatened to crush me right there in the hallway, but I forced a tight, reassuring smile onto my face for Levi's sake. "I'm managing, Levi. Truly. The manager just... had me help clean up the entire back inventory after hours. That's why I couldn't pick up."

Levi looked at me, his eyes softening into pure pity. "Cami... you know I'm here for you, right? You don't have to carry the whole world on your shoulders. Just tell me what's really going on so I can help."

"I'm sorry, Levi," I murmured, ducking my head. "I know you're trying to help, but I don't want your pity. I just need to get through today."

"I don't pity you, superwoman," Levi sighed gently, reaching out to pat my shoulder. "I'm just worried about you."

"I know," I breathed, forcing myself to snap back into action. I slapped his shoulder playfully to break the heavy mood. "Now come on—get off that lazy, sagging butt of yours and get moving! We have a practical in five minutes!"

Levi laughed, the tension between us breaking. He reached into his side pocket and handed me a warm, paper coffee cup. "Here. You look like you need this more than I do."

"You're a lifesaver," I said, taking a quick sip of the hot brew as we both began jogging down the busy corridor toward the lecture hall.

Outside the main administration plaza, a sleek, jet-black Maybach pulled up against the curb, its tinted windows reflecting the morning sun.

Liam Lockwood stepped out onto the concrete pavement, buttoning his crisp suit jacket. Behind him, two security guards moved into position, drawing hushed whispers and wide eyes from passing students. The university administration had hastily announced an unannounced visit from the board's top financial sponsor, but Liam wasn't there for a lecture.

His sharp, gray eyes scanned the sea of young faces pouring into the science building, searching for a single, specific clue.

Inside the main foyer, the building's intercom crackled to life, announcing his presence over the speakers. I barely paid attention as I rushed down the hall with Levi, my focus entirely set on reaching Professor Vance's door before the bell rang.

Suddenly, a strange hush fell over the hallway.

I instinctively looked up. Standing near the central glass atrium, surrounded by university department heads, was Liam Lockwood.

My breath caught violently in my throat. I froze in my tracks, my fingers tightening around my coffee cup until the cardboard crumpled. He looked imposing, powerful, and impossibly sharp—a dangerous predator standing right in the middle of my everyday world.

Instinct took over. I quickly lowered my head, burying my face low inside the collar of my oversized coat, and tried to melt into the crowd of students shuffling past him.

But as I stepped past the edge of the atrium, a sudden gust of wind from the opening double doors blew back my hood.

Liam's eyes swept across the corridor—and locked directly onto me.

His gaze didn't linger on my wire-rimmed glasses or my messy ponytail. His eyes dropped straight to the high-end, bespoke designer jacket wrapped around my shoulders—the exact one he had handed to Vixen less than an hour ago in his private bedroom.

A slow, chilling smirk carved its way across Liam's sharp features as our eyes met across the crowded room.

Bingo.