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Joyce looked just as surprised as Ethan did, but she was much quicker to respond. “Oh wow…that’s very generous of you, Mr. Willows. I’m looking forward to it.” She looked at Ethan, eyes pointed. “Right, Ethan?”

His mind raced. This wasn't a generous offer from the company’s caring executive. This was a buyout. Keeping them happy. Keeping them quiet. All that mattered to Preston was that they stayed loyal to the Willows name.

Preston turned to Ethan, his gaze sharp and cold. “I value loyalty.” He paused, slowly walking over to Ethan and resting his hand on his shoulder. “I take care of people who help take care of the company. This is a token of my appreciation, Ward.” His grip tightened on his shoulder, and he could smell the alcohol on his breath.

Appreciation. What a douchebag.

Ethan’s jaw clenched, forcing the words through his teeth. “Of course…thank you,” he murmured, shifting his shoulder from his grip.

Preston smiled, the menacing look dropping from his face. “Great! The party’s next Saturday, we’ll meet at the Bell Harbor Marina and take the boat out to my place on Mercer Island. I’ve got my own dock.”

Joyce forced a smile and nodded. “That sounds great, Mr. Willows!”

Everything in Ethan's body screamed that this was a bad idea, but it was too risky to say no, and Preston knew it. As he opened his mouth to respond, a thought struck.

What if I brought Evie? Yacht party, meeting the higher-ups...that could be impressive, right? If anything, it gave him another excuse to see her.

Not only could it be an opportunity to impress Evie, but it would be nice to have someone there who wasn't from work. Maybe then he wouldn't feel so gross about being there.

“Actually,” Ethan said, forcing himself to look into Preston’s eyes. “Could I bring a plus-one?”

Preston didn't even blink, waving his hand dismissively. “Sure, Ward. The more the merrier. You too, Joyce.”

He doesn't give a shit who we bring as long as we keep quiet, he thought.

“Great, thanks,” Ethan said, trying to sound casual, even though his fists were dying to punch him in the face. He wasn't much for violence, but something about Preston made Ethan’s blood boil.

“Don't mention it,” Preston said, already turning to leave. “My assistant will send over the details.” He walked away without waiting for a response, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

As soon as he was out of sight, Joyce and Ethan exhaled, their bodies finally relaxing.

“Well, that was…somethin’,” Joyce said, her brow furrowed. “I think I need a cigarette.”

Ethan slumped lower in his chair, his pulse still elevated. “Yeah…unexpected.”

Joyce smiled, curiosity in her eyes. “Ya’ really gonna bring someone?” She paused and laughed. “The girl you been seein’?”

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Well, maybe. I have to ask first, but it would be nice to have…a friend there.”

She cocked an eyebrow at him, smiling cheekily. “A friend, huh?”

He stood up, desperate for that coffee, now more than ever. “Yeah, yeah…we’ll see. Either way, it sounds like we’re going to have a super fun time.” His voice dripped with sarcasm, and they both laughed.

He couldn’t wait to see Evie tonight. This time, no overthinking, just ask her to go with him to the party.

Simple as that.

Tonight, he would get to see the girl he couldn't stop thinking about, and even if just for a little while, he could forget about everything else.

Shadows curled off my hand, glimmering with a faint golden light before plunging it into the man’s chest. His darkness flooded through me, siphoning itself from the beating heart nestled in my grip until withering away to ash.

Memory fragments rushed and swirled through my mind, carried by his darkness. Visions of the ignored tears of his wife and the bruises she hid underneath her clothes flashed before me. The last bit of rot funneled into me, sour and metallic, coating my tongue. His body shuddered one last time, widened eyes staring back in terror as his body slowly sank into the depths of the Bay.

My hunger was quiet—for now.

The last thing I needed before seeing Ethan tonight was the insatiable hunger gnawing at me, especially when I couldn't afford to lose control.

Ethan…