Page 12 of The Tower

Even so, I stand away from the railing, my back to the stone wall and my eyes closed.

I hear the door open, glad Ruby’s finally here.

But it’s not Ruby who speaks.

“Running away again, Ms. Reed?” The voice is deep, masculine, and disturbingly familiar. A tremor runs through me that has nothing to do with fear, but everything to do with danger.

I open my eyes, turning to see Liam Grimm shut the door behind him before striding across the narrow balcony. He turns his back to the rail so that he’s facing me, the black void of sky and city looming behind him.

He stands straight, his posture almost arrogant in a black tuxedo that fits his broad shoulders perfectly. His copper hair gleams in the dim light, like fire against the inky-black sky. A dark prince. Dangerous and compelling.

I swallow, unsure if it’s the void that disturbs me or the man. I lift my chin, forcing myself to meet his eyes. “Following me again?”

“Escaping the tedium.” He’s holding a small plate with a bowl of melted chocolate and several thin, cylinder-shaped cookies. He dips one end of a cookie in the chocolate, then puts it in his mouth, sucking the chocolate off in a way that goes straight between my thighs. Then he bites off the end of the cookie, making me jump as if being released from a dream.

He smiles, his eyes roaming slowly over me, as he holds out the plate. “Care for one?”

“I—no, thank you. I don’t eat sweets.”

“Don’t? Or you’re not allowed?”

I say nothing.

“Too bad. I was looking forward to watching you … enjoy yourself.”

I lift my chin. “If you don’t mind, I came out here to be alone.”

“You came out here to meet with Ruby. But I believe she’s tied up at the moment.”

I stiffen. “How do you⁠—”

“That’s quite the statement you’re making with your attire,” he says, his eyes grazing over the virginal white tent of material that practically screams storybook princess. “Your father’s choice?”

I should be relieved that he knows I didn’t pick the hideous thing. But he’s making me so edgy that I snap instead. “What makes you say that?”

Something flickers in his eyes—understanding, perhaps. Or calculation. “Your father has always been a master at manipulation.”

“Care to elaborate, Mr. Grimm?”

Instead of answering, Grimm pushes away from the rail and steps toward me. Close. Too close. His scent—dark and primal—envelops me. And the heat from his body mingles with the cool night air, making the space between us seem charged with electricity.

“Tell me, Sasha, has your father said anything to you about his plans for tonight?”

The use of my first name feels far too intimate, and I bristle. “What do you know about it?”

“I make it my business to know what Victor Reed is planning. Especially when it involves using his daughter as a bargaining chip.”

He’s baiting me, and I tell myself I should just walk away. But I can’t. I’ve been my father’s pawn more times than I can count, and every time I’ve been blindsided. If Grimm has insight, I want to hear it. Especially in light of Ruby’s intel that an announcement is coming.

“All right,” I finally say. “What are you talking about?”

The corner of his mouth quirks up. “Your father really is the bastard I’ve always believed him to be.”

Panic taunts me, and the night starts to close in. “Just tell me.” The words come out as a plea, not a demand, and I want to kick myself for showing weakness.

For a long moment, he says nothing, but I think I hear a hint of compassion when he finally says, “An engagement announcement tonight would be quite the strategic move for Reed Cosmetics. Bane Marketing merging with Reed’s empire—very tidy.”

I shake my head, not yet certain where he’s going with this.