I let her do what she wants, knowing full well that it won’t make the ache inside me go away.
Her lips brush against my neck, but I don’t feel it. The touch is cold, distant. It doesn’t matter. I can’t focus on her. Not when my mind is still tethered to Zoe, to everything she’s done tome, to the way she’s taken up so much space in my life without even meaning to.
I turn my head slightly to look at Nadia, her face framed by the dim light from the streetlamps outside. She’s beautiful, in that way that’s easy to look at but impossible to feel. She offers comfort, an illusion of control, but it’s nothing compared to the way Zoe made me feel.
She sinks to her knees and slowly unbuckles my belt, her eyes holding mine. Her tongue runs over her bottom lip and in another world, that’d be enough to send me over the edge. But if she wants to get me there tonight, she’ll have to work a little harder than that.
She takes my cock in her mouth and sinks it deep into her throat. I feel myself stir, but the moment I shut my eyes, the erection disappears when I see Zoe’s face. Nadia frowns as my dick goes flaccid. She starts to work on me again, but it’s too late. We’ve arrived at the gala.
“Get up. We’re here.”
There’s disappointment and hurt in her eyes as she stuffs me back in my pants and redoes my buckle.
The sleek black car comes to a stop in front of the red carpet, the doormen already stepping forward to greet me. I’m composed, my face unreadable as always. I adjust my cuff links, the delicate metal glinting under the lights, before glancing at Nadia beside me. She’s fixing her lipstick in the small mirror, her movements slow and deliberate, making sure she looks the part. She’s been a pleasant enough distraction, but right now, I don’t care about her appearance or her presence. I have other matters on my mind.
I open the door first, stepping out into the evening air, the lights of the gala reflecting off the pavement. Nadia follows,ignoring the doormen as they offer their respectful nods, but it’s all just background noise.
“Welcome, Mr. Rusnak,” they greet as I throw them my car keys and herd us toward the interior of the main event. I see Nadia staring longingly at the carpet, but she better not get ideas into her head.
I don’t need to be here. I don’t need this. But my role demands it. The gala, the high-society functions—they’re just part of the game I play. And right now, I’m playing it like a master.
Inside, the building is a sea of glittering dresses, wealthy men, and expensive alcohol. The grand hall is bathed in soft golden light, the air thick with the scent of perfume and luxury. People swirl around me, their laughter and chatter a constant hum, but none of it matters. I move through the crowd with ease, my posture straight, my gaze sharp.
Exchanging nods here and there, I acknowledge the ones who are important, the ones who understand the weight of my presence. The rest? They don’t matter. I don’t waste time on small talk, on pleasantries, and fake smiles.
I’m not here for the event. I’m not here for the conversations, the meaningless chatter of the elite.
I’m here because my presence means power. Because even in silence, I’m a force to be reckoned with. Every step I take, every subtle shift of my gaze, is a calculated move. People notice. They always do. If it wasn’t important that I be here, I’d have sent Adrian. Hell, I’d even send Arseny if that would save me this stress.
A few try to approach, offering their greetings, their shallow compliments, but I keep moving, my eyes scanning the room. They know better than to push me for more. They’velearned that when I want to engage, I will. And when I don’t, I remain a shadow.
After a few minutes of moving through the crowd and ignoring the trivial conversations that come with events like these, I finally see someone coming towards me.
Abraham Louvrr.
The CEO of TechAi. One of the most successful tech companies in the country. His presence is hard to ignore, not just because of his success, but because of the way he carries himself. Confident. Calculating. He’s made a name for himself, and tonight, he’s here to make another one.
“Lukin,” he greets, his voice smooth and composed, extending his hand with a practiced, confident smile. “It’s good to see you. I didn’t expect to find you here tonight.”
I take his hand, the firm grip a sign of mutual respect. “Abraham,” I say, nodding, my voice low, deliberately casual. “I try not to miss events like this. They have a way of bringing the right people together.”
He chuckles, stepping a little closer and directing a smile at Nadia.
“Exactly,” he agrees. “And speaking of that, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“I know you’ve been keeping an eye on TechAi,” he begins, his voice smooth, like he’s already prepared for this pitch. “We’ve been expanding, and we’re looking for the right investors to help us scale. I know you’ve got your fingers in a lot of different pies, Lukin, but I think there’s a place for you at the table.”
I know where this is going. Abraham Louvrr is smart, and he knows how to play the game. He’s offering me something—more power, more control—but I’m not someone who gets swayed easily.
“An investment in TechAi?” I repeat, my voice low. “What makes you think I’d be interested?”
“You go where the money is, Lukin. I’ve been keeping an eye on you too.” He doesn’t hesitate. “TechAi is about growth. About moving forward. You’re always ahead of the curve, and we’re the future of technology. Together, we could make something unstoppable.”
I look at him, sizing him up. His words are persuasive, smooth, and calculated. He’s used to this. He’s used to getting what he wants.
And I can see the appeal. But I’m not about to let someone like him think he’s going to win me over with just charm.
