The gala was one of those events dripping with wealth and hidden wars. Diamonds glittered under the chandeliers, men in tailored suits shook hands with the same fingers they used to stab backs, and women in gowns exchanged smiles sharper than knives.
Malia Martins walked at Kieth Williams ’ side, her emerald dress hugging her in all the right places. She felt every eye follow them — the predator billionaire and the woman nobody could quite place. The whispers trailed behind them like smoke.
Kieth looked untouchable, as always. But Malia had learned enough by now to know that underneath the iron exterior was a man built on scars.
The night was going smoothly until he appeared.
“William.”
The voice came from the center of the room, loud enough for conversations to stumble into silence.
