Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Gage raises a brow. “Well, that’s not suspicious at all.”
My stomach churns. “They didn’t even try to hide it. And what’s even more crazy is both of their spouses are here.”
“Which means they’re either reckless… or confident no one would dare follow.”
He tilts his head toward the alcove across from the door, hidden in shadow. We slide in, waiting.
Through the glass, silhouettes shift—close. Too close. When Andrew pulls Helena against him and presses his lips to hers, it’s all the confirmation we need.
“They really don’t care who sees,” I murmur.
“Or they think no one will believe it,” Gage says grimly. “Andrew’s got a reputation.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “Do you think she’s controlling him? Like she is Tasha?”
He nods slowly. “Wouldn’t surprise me. If Helena is Regent… she’s been running this chessboard for a while. And now we know she’s playing more than one piece.”
I exhale shakily. “She’s so… calculated. It’s like she’s always two moves ahead.”
Gage snaps a picture of the two of them before reaching for my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine. “Not anymore. Not with us watching.”
He pulls me closer, tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You look so damn beautiful tonight, River. I wish this was just a date. Just you and me.”
My heart thuds painfully. “Me too.”
He presses a soft kiss to my forehead, and for a moment the rest of the world fades—the threat, the danger, the betrayal. Just the press of his lips, the way he holds me like I matter more than anything else.
And I believe him.
The door across the hall opens and we both shift back into position.
Helena and Andrew emerge, looking composed, like nothing scandalous just happened behind that door. But now we know. We have proof. And leverage.
“Let’s get back,” Gage whispers. “We’ve got work to do.”
As we slip back into the party, my mind is racing.
The secrets are getting thicker.
The lies deeper.
But with Gage beside me… I feel like we might just have a shot.
THIRTY-SIX
GAGE
“You want to dance?” I ask River as we step back into the ballroom.
She beams. “You’ll dance with me?”
“I’ll do anything for you.”
From the moment she walked into this party tonight, a little black dress with a slit up her thigh… I knew I was a goner. I’m still a goner. I’m fucking in love. And I no longer care who knows about it. I take her out on the floor and wrap my arm around her waist. Her body fits against mine like it was made for this. Made for me. The music shifts into something slower, and we move like we’ve done this a thousand times before.
“This is nice,” she whispers. “Almost makes me forget what we’re here for.”
“Almost,” I echo.
I dip my head to kiss her forehead and then trail my lips down to her temple. I want to devour her. I want to take her home and make her forget every terrible thing this company has done to her. But I also want to protect this moment. Just the two of us. Just us.
“I still can’t believe you’re mine,” I murmur against her skin.
“You really mean that?”
I look down at her, dead serious. “River, I’ve never meant anything more in my life.”
She exhales a shaky breath and squeezes my hand. “Then let’s dance a little longer before the world crashes in.”
But the world doesn’t wait long.
I let go of her to grab us drinks at the bar—nothing fancy, just sparkling water for her and a whiskey for me. As I turn, I hear it.
A laugh.
Then another.
And another.
I catch a group of developers—Alan, Ryan, and Benny—standing near the edge of the dance floor, snickering.
“What’s so special about her anyway?” Alan mutters just loud enough to carry.
“Didn’t you hear?” Ryan chimes in. “She’s screwing her way up the chain now.”
My jaw tics. My blood runs molten.
“You think she actually codes?” Benny says. “Bet all her commits are AI-generated fluff.”
They laugh louder, but I’m already moving.
“You want to say that again?” I snarl, stepping up to them, fists clenched.
“Whoa, man—” Alan raises his hands. “Just thought she was a fuck to you. Didn’t know you were—”
“With her?” I snap. “Yeah, I am. So maybe you want to shut your damn mouths before I shut them for you.”
Ryan rolls his eyes. “Dude, relax. We were just joking.”
“Yeah? Say another word and see if I’m laughing.”
I’m seconds from wrecking all three of them when two strong hands grab my shoulders from behind.
“Easy, Gage,” Arrow murmurs in my ear. “Not worth it.”
Knight appears on the other side. “Eyes on the mission, remember?”
I glance over my shoulder and see River watching from across the ballroom, eyes wide and uncertain. God, no. I didn’t want her to see this.
I push away from the guys and storm back toward her. “Let’s go.”
“Gage—”
“No,” I growl, louder now, turning on the room. “You know what? You’re all just jealous. Because River’s one of the smartest, fiercest, most talented devs this company has. And she’s more woman than any of you idiots could ever handle.”