They started playing the opening of Handel’sKeyboard Suite No.4 in D minor, a song I knew well. The melody was graceful but there was this underlying tension with every measure that always made the hairs on my neck rise. It felt like a warning in disguise.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
We turned to see Parker sauntering toward us, champagne in hand and a fake-ass smile painted across her face. Her gold dress caught the light with every step.
I felt my pulse quicken and tightened my grip on Fontaine’s hand.
“Didn’t think I’d run into you two again,” she said, eyes flicking to our joined hands. “Especiallynot together.”
My teeth ground together as I forced my face to stay neutral. She’d taken a back seat in my list of priorities since I’d been dealing with the Order, but it was most definitely still up with her. I didn’t know when, but she’d be seeing me for her betrayal—fucking Fontaine when she knew our history and exactly what he meant to me.
“What do you want, Parker?” Fontaine asked flatly. He looked at her like she was nothing more than an annoyance, though I caught the wariness behind his eyes.
“What, I can’t say hi?” she giggled. “Relax. You were always too serious for your own good.” She turned her attention to me. “And you, Nai—how’ve you been since your dad passed? I’m surprised you’re still in the city. I heard you got released from the Agency.”
“You lucky I’m all dressed up,” I hissed. “‘Cause I still owe you an ass whuppin’.”
Her smile never faltered. “Like I already told you—time and place, Nairobi. Say when.”
“That’s enough.” Fontaine moved to step between us. “Enjoy your night, Parker.”
She ignored him as she adjusted her purse strap. “I’m happy for y’all, really. It’s nice that you two figured things out. Especially with Nairobi’s little…situation. That would’ve been a deal breaker for a lot of men.”
“What situation?” he asked, brow furrowing.
Parker’s mouth twitched like she was fighting back a laugh. “Oh! You haven’t told him?”
I didn’t answer. The music swelled until it merged with the sound of blood rushing in my ears.
“Ah,” she said softly. “Guess not.”
“Don’t,” I warned.
She sipped her drink and leaned toward Fontaine. “I mean, y’all look serious now—very boo’d up. I just assumedit would’ve come up.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You know she can’t have kids, right?”
The orchestra kept playing, but now it sounded hollow. All I could hear was that voice in my head telling me to drop her where she stood.
Fontaine tensed, glancing from me to her, like he needed to confirm what he’d just heard.
I held his gaze, swallowing down the bile rising in my throat.
Parker pressed a hand to her mouth in mock surprise. “Whoops. Cat’s out the bag.” She smiled smugly. “You two have a lovely evening.”
She gave us a finger wave and turned.
My hand closed around her wrist before I realized what I was doing. I yanked her back hard enough that her drink sloshed out of her glass. I pulled her close, my grip tightening until I felt the bones shift under my fingers. That stupid smile finally cracked, and I saw the flash of fear she tried to swallow.
“You think you can break me?” I said, low enough that only she could hear. “Be very grateful you’re surrounded by all these people, because next time you see me it’ll be with a gun pressed against your head. That’s a promise.”
I let her go and threw my drink in her face.
The red wine splashed across her gold dress and dripped down her chin. She stood there, frozen, mouth open, champagne still in her other hand. A few people nearby turned to look, murmurs rippling through the crowd, but I didn’t give a fuck.
I set the empty glass down on the nearest surface, wiped my hand on my dress, and took Fontaine’s hand.
“We’re leaving,” I said quietly.
I didn’t realize I was shaking until we were outside and the cool nightair hit my face.
