Chapter 5 5

The line for OMNIA wrapped around the block, a snake of desperate people hoping for a taste of the high life.

Sofia didn't wait. She marched to the front, grabbed the bouncer's arm, and slipped a folded bill into his hand.

VIP list. Franco, Sofia said. She didn't ask. She stated.

The bouncer, a mountain of muscle, nodded and unhooked the velvet rope.

Elodie followed her cousin, keeping her head down. She felt the eyes of the people in line burning into her back.

Inside, the club was a different world. A massive chandelier, like a kinetic spaceship, descended from the ceiling, pulsing with light. The music was deafening. It hit Elodie in the chest, replacing her heartbeat with a synthetic rhythm.

They made their way to a private booth overlooking the main dance floor. A waiter appeared instantly with a bottle of Grey Goose and sparklers.

Sofia was on the couch dancing before the waiter had even set the bottle down.

Elodie poured herself a drink. She needed the burn. She scanned the room, a habit she couldn't break. Always checking for exits. Always checking for cameras.

Her phone vibrated in her clutch.

She pulled it out. It was a FaceTime request.

Bianca Vane.

Elodie's stomach tightened. Bianca was Kade's ex, and a woman who collected secrets like other people collected stamps. If Elodie didn't answer, Bianca would call her mother.

Elodie adjusted her hair, put on her best fake smile, and accepted the call.

The screen filled with Bianca's face. She was at a garden party. The lighting was soft, golden. Hamptons.

Elodie! Bianca shrilled. Where are you? It is so dark.

Hawaii, Elodie lied smoothly. Night swimming.

Bianca smirked. She brought a champagne flute to her lips.

Shame. Alden was just asking about you.

Elodie's hand tightened on the phone. The plastic case creaked.

Is that so? Elodie asked. Her voice was bored.

Yes. He bought me this bracelet. Bianca held up her wrist. A thick diamond cuff glittered in the sun. He said it reminded him of my eyes.

Elodie knew two things immediately. One, Alden's eyes were brown, not clear like diamonds. Two, Alden never spoke in clichés.

Cute, Elodie deadpanned.

Anyway, have fun in... wherever, Bianca said, dismissing her.

The screen went black.

Elodie stared at the phone. A surge of irrational, hot jealousy flooded her veins. She knew Bianca was lying. She knew it. But the image of Alden buying jewelry for another woman still felt like a knife in her ribs.

She downed her vodka. It burned all the way down.

She needed to cool off.

She stepped out of the booth and walked to the railing. She looked down into the pit below, the ultra-VIP area where the real power players sat.

And there he was.

The man from the SUV.

He was sitting alone at a large circular table in the center of the chaos. People were dancing around him, shouting, drinking. But he was still.

He was wearing the same black suit. A glass of water sat in front of him.

He looked up.

Across the crowded club, through the flashing strobe lights, his eyes found hers again.

He knew she was there. He had felt her watching.