Page 25 of Carnal Games

I gulp in shock, my throat going dry as we glide into the main room filled with countless people in couture gowns and tailored tuxes. This isn’t a big party, it’s a massive one. Being held in a freaking ballroom in a mansion.

His family’smansion.

I’m going to faint.

And I haven’t even seen Mr. Severe—Kian—yet.

Maybe I should’ve accepted the drink.

Deep breaths, Iris. Deep breaths.

I try, curling my hand into a fist so my nails dig into my palm, sending pinpricks of pain through me. I cannot lose my shit here.

Just smile and act like you belong here.

I knew Nathan and his family were loaded, but I didn’t realize just how much. Also, not in a minor way but significantly off the mark by millions. His parents are obscenely wealthy and I feel like a fish out of water. I’m at a function I only watch on television or read about in the newspapers. This is beyond my wildest dream.

Nathan wasn’t kidding when he said he had a legacy to lead one day.

His rivalry with Kian suddenly makes sense.

Before we venture deeper, I halt Nathan with a hand on his arm. I could be making a mistake but with my heart in my throat for stepping into a world beyond my imagination, I still utter, “Yes.”

“Really?” Hopefulness is in his tone.

“I’ll be your fake date tonight.”

Chapter Seven

Iris

“A fair warning would’ve been nice, Nathan.”

He has the decency to look apologetic as we stand in a corner of the round room. The chandeliers shimmering down on us. “Then you wouldn’t have come.”

Oh, but I would’ve.

Even now, my gaze is searching the mass of bodies for a small glimpse of that rugged handsomeness. Piece by piece, my world is centering around him—my scary reaper.

I regard Nathan, sipping the fruity mocktail I snagged from a wandering waitress’s tray. “Why do you say that?”

“I didn’t want you to be intimidated by my parents’ affluence or think I’m boasting,” he answers honestly. “I told you I want to make our friendship last. You don’t strike me as a person who is attracted to someone’s financial status, but it can still be a lot to some people. It’s hard to find genuine friends in my world.”

“I don’t make friends based on what they own or how rich they are.” Smirking, I tease him, “Besides, I like you for your wisdom.”

“So, am I forgiven?”

“I wasn’t mad. Just caught off guard.” Studying the elegantly dressed men and women drinking and flashing their shiny teeth as they talk in hushed tones, it all feels surreal. “I’ve only seen these lavish parties in movies. Never thought I’d be attending one.”

“Then I better make it unforgettable for you.” Intertwining our hands, he tugs me forward. “But first, let’s get over with meeting my parents.”

The way he says it with an edge tells me he might have a strained relationship with them too. It saddens me.

“What does your father do?” I ask, both out of curiosity and a need to distract myself from panicking.

“The Singhania and Sons is into various industries. We started as a tech business, and we recently ventured into automobiles.”

In other words, his father is running an empire.