Chapter 2 THE QUEEN OF THE KINGDOM

CHAPTER TWO

Nikki craned her head slightly and tried to scan the room to see if her husband was circling closer. Armris still had his arm around her shoulders and was doing introductions. If she moved now, she'd appear rude. At least Mario hadn't approached them yet. Maybe there was still time for her to escape?

"Philian, this is Ophelia, resident tech genius who owns Aurum, the tech company. Ophelia, Philian runs a shipping business and owns-"

"A bunch of toys that can only be run on water," Philian interrupted, capturing Ophelia 's hand and kissing it.

"Awesome," Ophelia said, looking down her sharp nose. Ophelia 's face wasn't unattractive but Nikki didn't care for the way she wore her hair parted down the middle, black sheets falling to a blunt cut jaw. The whole hairstyle resembled a helmet. After two months of advising her friend to get her hair cut in softer layers, Nikki had given up, suspecting that Ophelia preferred to look striking rather than pretty.

Of course, that theory didn't jive with the way Ophelia flirted. Right now Ophelia was fluttering her dark lashes at the shipping mogul. "Do you share your toys?"

"I'll share mine if you share yours." Philian smiled.

"Right on. I'm heading out of here soon, but I'll look you up." Ophelia looked Philian over, from his bald head all the way down to his wing tip shoes. "You're what, six one?"

"Six two." Again, Philian's smile showed two rows of very white teeth.

"Nice. You know what they say about tall men." Ophelia looked pointedly at the guest's crotch.

"Ophelia," Nikki choked out, but wasn't sure why she was even surprised anymore. Ophelia was smart enough to realize her rudeness-she simply didn't care. "Philian was commenting on how nice this party is."

Even as she said it, her eyes were darting around. Where had Mario gone? Had he seen her?

"Oh, for sure. Great party," Ophelia agreed.

Armris, now hanging on Nikki, had somehow grabbed a second champagne. He pointed with his new glass, dangerously close to slopping liquid onto Nikki. "See that guy in the corner? That's Marco Mars, the movie star."

They all studied the handsome blond holding court in front of the staircase, surrounded by an adoring audience five people deep.

"Hot. I'd fuck him," Ophelia pronounced. Armris snorted in Nikki 's ear, leaning more heavily on her until she was surrounded by the scent of his cologne. It smelled good but was a little overpowering for her taste. Philian 's lips jerked briefly into what looked suspiciously like the start of a smile.

Nikki closed her eyes as Ophelia went on. "Didn't Annabel say she was auditioning for a movie that he's starring in? That would be, like, a huge break for her."

"Yes," Nikki said, focusing back in on the conversation at hand. "And she's perfect for the part."

"Where is that bitch anyway?" Ophelia frowned, looking back towards the entrance. "Annabelle is another one of our roommates," she told Philian, and then winked at him. "There's only one bed, though. Good thing we're such close friends."

Nikki all but choked on a sip of champagne. "How about another toast?" she said desperately. Philian 's grin was now ear to ear.

"To friends!" Armris started to toast again, but the hand that held the full glass was still around Nikki 's neck.

Ophelia grabbed the tipsy designer, and helped untangle him. "Gods, Armris, watch her dress."

Nikki was almost free when Armris caught her arm.

"Do you like the dress?" he asked. "It's one of my creations."

"I actually need to go fix it real quick," Nikki stammered, tugging at Armris 's grip. She'd officially reached maximum stimulus overload. She needed a breath.

"Stop, it looks perfect," Armris scolded.

"Very lovely. You're like a mermaid." Philian smiled down at her.

Nikki glanced down. The blue sheath was strapless, hugging her sleek form until her waist, where it shimmered into turquoise and then down into a sea-foam green train.

"Turn around," Ophelia requested and Armris 's hand pulled her into a spin that Nikki had no choice but to continue.

Of course, as soon as she twirled, her gaze swept over the crowded party, and Nikki looked straight into the eyes of her husband, Mario Udall.

Like in the movies, it felt like everything around them muted and became hazy. Eight weeks hadn't changed much-for him anyway. Mario wore his signature suit. Everything about him spoke of power, from the set of his broad shoulders to his piercing gaze. He stood in a crowd and rose above it, a man among boys.

He stood a little inside the doorway, flanked by two men dressed all in black. Shades, they were called on the street.

One glance, and Nikki stopped mid-twirl, letting her dress continue without her. She stared at her husband, the sight of him hitting her with earth-tilting force. His eyes locked with hers and there was a fire burning in their depths. Searing her to the core.

With time and space, she had convinced herself that she'd imagined the potency of his effect on her. Surely she'd exaggerated how, with a look, he could pin her in place and have her begging.

A half whirl later and she had her back to him, but no relief. She knew his eyes were on her and she could all but feel the ghost of his hands on her body.

More than that, a million other memories were flooding in. Him holding her at night, his body spooned behind hers. Him finally saying the words that she had waited so long to hear, whispering over and over that he loved her.

And that last night before she'd left him. The terrifying sight of him letting the leash off of his control and watching him brutally bash a man's head in. Over and over and over again, even after the man was dead. Mario hadn't known she was there, hiding in the shadows, but she'd seen. She'd seen and she'd never forget.

Nikki stumbled backwards. "I have to go."

Ophelia frowned and Armris 's head whipped around. They both realized the cause of her panic at the same time. For the past two months, Nikki had been Ophelia 's roommate, and Armris was a frequent visitor to their tiny loft. They'd listened to her rant, hugged her when she cried, and plied her with ice cream when she moped around for days. She'd never told them the extent of it, though. She'd never told a soul about that last night and she never would.

"Oh darling-" Armris began, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed convulsively.

Ophelia was more blunt. "Go."

Philian Rivers straightened to his considerable height. His eyes narrowed and Nikki froze at the mask of hate that settled over his regal features.

Nikki didn't want to know the reasons why the man in white despised her husband. Mario 's whole world was filled with darkness and vendetta. She wanted nothing to do with any of it. And she certainly had no interest in confronting Mario tonight.

Lifting her dress so she wouldn't trip on the mini-train, Nikki fled. Damn it, why had she let Armris talk her into wearing these five-inch heels? She couldn't go too quickly or she break her neck