Page 26 of Villainous Rise

All I could focus on was the weight of Annie’s gaze on my back. I’d given her what she’d wanted, walked away when every cell in my body demanded blood.

I consoled myself with the knowledge that I’d find out what the fuck was happening later. And if Valor’s hands strayed any lower in the meantime, there wouldn’t be enough left of him to bury.

CHAPTER 6

ANNIE

I watched Cipher’s back as he walked away, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to escape.

Holy fucking shit. I’d just silently begged Cipher, the most dangerous Villain in the city, the man who’d broken my heart, not to murder my fake boyfriend in the middle of a retirement party.

And he’d listened.

Except Cipher didn’t do favors. He didn’t do mercy. Every single action he took was a transaction.

I had just opened a ledger with a monster.

The air in the ballroom felt too thin, choking me with the scent of expensive cologne. What was the going rate for sparing an asshole’s life? He was going to corner me. He was going to demand a payment I couldn’t afford to give him.

The muscles in my shoulders remained locked tight even as Valor’s fingers dug into my waist. I wanted to peel them off one by one and go take a long shower to get the feel of him off of me.

“What the fuck was his problem?” Valor muttered.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing hysterically. Valor had no idea how close he’d come to death.

God I was stupid. In my anger, I thought it would feel good to show Cipher that I’d “moved on.” But all I’d done by agreeing to this stupid PR stunt was provoke him.

I needed to find Havoc and let him know about our potential problem. I scanned the crowded ballroom. Where the hell had he disappeared to? Probably hiding in the lounge with a drink, avoiding small talk.

“There’s Senator Wilcox. I want to introduce you to him.” Valor nodded toward a silver-haired man across the room. “He’s a major donor to the Alliance, and I need to make an impression.”

“I’ve already met—“ I started.

“It’ll just take a minute, sweetheart.” He was already steering me through the crowd.

I dug my heels in, but he simply applied more pressure. “Valor, I’m not your sweetheart. I’m not your anything.”

“Tonight, you are.” His voice dropped to a glacial whisper, eyes hardening despite the perfect smile still plastered across his face. “This isn’t exactly my dream scenario either, Bishop.”

His mask slipped for just a second, revealing something calculating beneath all that manufactured charm.

“But unlike you,” he continued, “I understand what’s at stake. So smile like you mean it.”

His fingers tightened against my waist, just shy of painful.

“Fine,” I said through clenched teeth.

His face transformed instantly, radiance returning like someone had flipped a switch. “That’s my girl. Now smile. The senator’s looking.”

I plastered on a smile while my insides churned with panic. Somewhere in this ballroom, Cipher was watching. Waiting. Probably plotting Valor’s demise and I couldn’t entirely blame him.

“Senator Wilcox, may I present Annie Bishop?” Valor’s voice took on that polished, public-appearance tone that made my teeth ache.

The senator’s gaze traveled down my body, lingering in places that made my skin crawl. “Enchanted to meet you, my dear. Truly enchanted.”

I resisted the urge to cross my arms over my chest as his eyes lingered.

“Actually, Senator, we’ve met before. Several times.”