He led me onto the floor, his movements practiced, though lacking any grand flair. It was a comfortable, easy rhythm as we moved, the other couples around us blending into the soft music filling the room.
Petru didn’t speak much as we danced, only the occasional polite comment, and for that I was grateful. It was nice to simply float along for a moment.
After a few turns around the room, he broke the silence, sounding suddenly a lot more thoughtful. "Emma, I hope you don’t think I’m a coward for not immediately agreeing to your proposal."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Of course not. You had the best interests of those close to you at heart. Which is what a true leader does, not a coward."
He nodded, though he seemed lost in thought. "You’re kind to say, but I still feel the need to explain."
I gently rested my hand on his. "You don’t have to. Fatherhood has a way of changing a man, or so I’ve heard."
A slight frown appeared on his hardened features. "Fatherhood? It’s notmychild or wife I’m worried about."
"Oh," I replied, taken aback. "I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have assumed."
"It’s my sister, Oxana," he clarified quickly, a hint of protectiveness creeping into his voice. "We’re the only ones left of our entire family, and she’s pregnant. Her husband was killed in a freak accident, and now I’m all she has. Honestly, she and her baby are all I have too."
I smiled, sympathy softening my opinion of him. "I understand. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for my own family either."
The music ended, and I let go of his hand, but he grasped it again briefly. "Thank you for understanding. I look forward to working with you in the future, though I hope it won't be as necessary as I fear."
I smiled back as we walked to a quieter corner of the room but caught the subtle shift in Petru's demeanor as he glanced to his right.
"May I ask you a more personal question?" he inquired, handing me a glass of champagne he’d snagged from a passing waiter.
"Sure," I replied, then took a sip of my glass.
"Are you and Caden Colt an item?"
I nearly choked on my drink. "Gods, no. No, no, no. Not now, not ever. No."
"Are you sure? Because he keeps looking at me like he might murder me right now."
My attention darted toward Caden. Petru wasn’t wrong—Caden's death stare was back, more intense than ever. Gone was his charming facade, replaced by the ruthless warrior I knew he really was. I flared my nostrils. Seriously, what didhehave to be angry about?
"Trust me, it's me he wants to kill," I muttered.
"I think he might like you," Petru suggested.
I snorted. "I think you're delusional."
Petru smiled, a glint of amusement in his expression. "I thinkImight like you."
"Are you hitting on my subordinate?" a stone-cold voice demanded.
I frowned at Caden’s interruption, irritation prickling at the edges of my composure. "I’m not anyone’s subordinate, and I’m certainly notyouranything," I replied dryly.
Caden’s lips curved into a smile, but the warmth didn’t reach his face. The rich, whiskey-brown softness I’d seen once or twice was long gone, replaced by that familiar cold edge. It was always there—the danger simmering beneath the surface. But when he turned to Petru, however, his entire demeanor shifted. "I noticed your beautiful library when I walked down to the gardens this afternoon. Impressive collection you have there."
Just like that, he’d switched personalities again. To the untrained eye,thisCaden appeared effortlessly charming, the very picture of social grace. But as I studied him—the ease of his manners, the lightness in his tone, the way his shoulders seemed relaxed—I realized the ruthlessness never left him.
I recognized his strategy all too well. It was the same one I had tried perfecting during my days as a lawyer: charm your opponent, get close, and then strike when they least expect it. Like a snake, coiled and ready to devour its prey.
I didn’t know what Caden’s endgame was, but it terrified me. And honestly,heterrified me.The dark prince of deception.Such an apt nickname.
Unease settled in the pit of my stomach, and I quickly excused myself from their conversation, mingling my way through the crowd.
As I wandered through the room, the music swelled, and almost everyone was dancing. I kept to the sidelines, content to observe. But then my line of sight landed on someone standing in the corner, all by himself.
