“I said come, now.”
I did not wait for her to follow me. I knew she would.
I had reserved us a private room overlooking the gala, one with a couch, a bed, and even a stocked refrigerator bar if we so chose. I heard her footsteps behind me as we ascended the stairs. I found the key code in my phone, punched it in, and walked in ahead of her. I went to the balcony, turning my back on Sarah as I heard her sit on the couch.
For several seconds, maybe even a full minute, Sarah did not say a word. I let my mask fall, my false kindness and warmth, and gazed over the crowd. Millionaires, billionaires, artists, a few actors and actresses… I could control any of them if I wanted. I could buy out any of them if I wanted.
But the one I really wanted? The one I knew I could not buy out, no matter what percent of my wealth I threw at her?
The one I really wanted… to break.
But did I really?
The grim look on my face was becoming less about letting my true side emerge and more about whether I even knew what my true side was. How could I want to break Sarah’s spirit and heart so badly, yet be so enthralled by her mere touch, presence, and art? How could I say I hated her and had long-term plans to destroy her when in the short term, I couldn’t look at her without getting wild thoughts of fucking her senseless?
No one had ever made me question the motives I’d begun a relationship—professional, personal, or otherwise—quite like her. I had to remind myself to be objective. I had a plan. That plan was based on the fact that she was responsible for my younger brother’s death. That was that.
But…
“You’re quiet, Cassius,” she said, her voice barely audible over the murmur downstairs. “We’ve had a great night. Why are you suddenly so cold?”
I chuckled and smirked, but I did not turn to face her. Not yet. I had to make sure I chose my words carefully—enough to make her think that she was still in for a great time, but enough that I knew I was still committed to my plan.
Not that I was even sure I wanted to be committed to my plan.
“I have been thinking, Sarah, about what the rest of this night ought to entail,” I said. “I came into this thinking that our time at theRed Courtwould be the end. But truly, I think we would be better served marking this as the beginning.”
Yes.
That was it.
The beginning of something…
“The beginning of something you willneverforget.”
8
SARAH
Every part of my mind told me to run the hell away.
But every part of my heart told me to stay, to see which Cassius was the real one—the one who projected strength and steely resolve, or the one that seemed to quietly enjoy little moments with me. The one who scolded me for not being PR friendly enough? Or the one who had spent an entire evening with me, and was now suddenly offering to spend even more time with me?
It was a mystery wrapped in an enigma layered underneath power and ruthlessness. I knew that sticking around would risk getting burned so badly, I might never recover from the scars. But I also knew it might offer a reward that would change my life forever, and for reasons well beyond any money or prestige he could offer.
My mind was spinning. I was tired, beyond exhausted. I couldn’t think straight, and I had a feeling that even if I hadn’t put on artistic airs for the last three hours, I might not be able to think clearly in Cassius’ presence.
But while I wanted to be guided by my heart, I couldn’t ignore what my mind was warning me. I had to get space. I had to think clearly.
“I would like that,” I said, “but, I want us to resume tomorrow. I want?—”
“As you wish,” Cassius said, so abruptly and cutting me off so swiftly I almost just kept talking right over him.
It was more than like a switch got flipped; that implied I knew what flipping the switch would entail. This was more like shutting the power off; Cassius simply stared at me, but it was as if there was nothing behind those eyes, nothing that valued me.
I knew that wasn’t true, but I had to think deeply and stare intently to understand that it wasn’t true. Yet at the same time, this was no mask of Cassius. The man didn’t become the billionaire he was without knowing when to abruptly stop being sentimental.
“You may leave now, Sarah,” Cassius said. “I have given you the night I promised you. If you failed to build anything from it, that is of your own mistake.”
