I lift my champagne glass, watching the interaction unfold with curious calm.
Trey glances down at the woman politely.
Listens.
Then, without missing a beat, his eyes lift again—and lock straight onto mine across the room.
The corner of his mouth curves slowly, deliberately, and he says something to the woman that makes her blink in surprise before she turns and walks away.
Mac lets out a low whistle.
“Well,” she says, sounding thoroughly impressed, “that was efficient.”
I smile softly into my champagne. I am definitely feeling the buzz of the drinks now, but I just feel so content to watch him. I could watch him forever. I will.
“Champagne?” a familiar voice says smoothly.
I turn just as Chace slides onto the stool beside Mac.
He signals the bartender with a small flick of his fingers.
“Macallan 25,” he says calmly. “Neat.”
When the bartender nods and moves away, Chace leans one elbow on the bar.
Up close, he is a beautiful, formidable presence.
Golden skin like he’s spent half his life under foreign suns. His blond hair is tied back in a loose man bun at the base of his neck, a few strands falling forward in a way that somehow looks deliberate rather than messy.
Sharp cheekbones.
Cool gray-blue eyes that always seem to be alert.
There’s an ease to the way he sits there—relaxed, composed—but beneath it is something unmistakably dangerous. Like he owns the room.
The kind of quiet authority people instinctively move around.
“Seraphina,” he says, inclining his head slightly. “Sorry for my departure earlier. I had to set a few things right.”
Mac grins beside me.
“Well, look who finally finished his mysterious ‘business,’” Mac teases.
Chace’s mouth curves faintly.
“I was unable to postpone; everything comes at a cost.” He says with a sigh.
His drink arrives.
“Everything alright?” Mac asks. He nods, as he lifts the glass, amber liquid catching the casino lights as he takes a slow sip.
Then his gaze drifts toward the others.
To Trey.
Chace watches the roulette table for another moment, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as Trey drags another pile of chips toward himself.
Then he glances at me.
