Then Liam leaned in with a half-grin. “So, big fancy gala. Ridiculous dress code. Liz on your arm. What’s the plan here, man?”
“There’s no plan.”
“Come on,” Adonis said calmly, “that’s bull.”
I sighed, diverting my gaze from the mirror. “She’s been used her whole life. As a weapon, a symbol, leverage. I just... want her to feel like she’s more than that.”
They both paused, absorbing my words.
Liam broke the silence first.
“You want her to feel like a person.”
I nodded once.
“She deserves a night where she doesn’t have to think about every move she makes. Just a girl in a dress who gets to feel—”
“Loved?” Adonis interjected, far too casually.
I froze.
Liam’s eyebrows shot up.
“Well, damn.”
“It’s not—” I started, but their expressions told me they weren’t buying it.
“Yeah, that’s not your ‘I’m just being protective’ voice,” Liam said. “That’s your ‘I’ve already fallen and I’m annoyed about it’ voice.”
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling cornered and irritated.
“It doesn’t matter what it is.”
“Oh, but it does,” Adonis insisted. “She’s not glass, Noah. But she’s not a ghost either. If you’re falling for her, just say it. Let her see it.”
I looked down at my hands. Knuckles scarred. Fingers steady. They didn’t shake when I held a gun. But they trembled when she touched me.
“I don’t want to ruin her,” I said quietly.
Adonis’s tone softened this time.
“You won’t. If anything, she’ll ruin you. And that might be the best thing that ever happens to you.”
The tailor returned to measure the cuffs again, blissfully unaware of the heaviness in the air. Liam stood up, grinning.
“Well, boys, it looks like we’ve got a gala, a plan, and a brooding lead who’s totally in denial about being in love. I’m calling this a win.”
Adonis chuckled softly. “Just make sure your mask doesn’t fall off, Romeo.”
I didn’t reply.
Because deep down…
I wasn’t worried about the mask.
I was worried about what she’d see when it came off.
I found myself lingering by the shop window as the tailor carefully tucked the tuxedo into a sleek black garment bag. Outside, the sky was deepening intonight, and the warm glow of city lights began to flicker to life. It wasn’t even late yet, but the day felt achingly long without her voice to fill the silence.
