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As I walked toward Remi, I scanned the growing crowd of wealthy men and women from around the world who received VIP tickets to this special event. They’d vote for the wine label that would head to Monaco, where it would be showcased at the Monte Carlo Hotel Resort. This was a hangout place for elite members of The Trogyn, a dangerous crime organization that had become a threat to me and my friends.

“Is that Vivian?” Remi asked.

Remington wore a dark suit that resembled mine. Ever since he’d been with Audri, joy oozed from him. His short dark hair had grown a bit long, but those sharp blue eyes remained the same as when I’d met him all those years ago. He had masterminded the WaterFyre Rising game back when we’d been teens, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be part of it. My life could've gone horribly wrong if it hadn’t been for my friends. I’d probably be serving several life sentences.

“Yeah, that’s Vivian,” I said, not wanting to speak any more about her right now. “Hostingthis event at La Luna was an excellent idea.” I glanced around and lowered my voice. “Cameras working? Anyone look suspicious?”

He smirked. “All set. There are people in attendance I don’t recognize.”

“Who?”

“People who have more money than us.”

Though my friends and I were prominent figures in the business arena, we knew there were others wealthier than us with their own circle of powerful acquaintances.

“Let’s go check them out.”

CHAPTERFIVE

VIVIAN

Calvin ledme down a hallway into a small room that looked like an office with warm-colored walls. He closed the door as I took in the rest of the room. A round table with four chairs sat in the center of the space. A long couch and other cozy furniture adorned the lounge area.

He pulled out a seat for me, and I sat down.

“How are you?” Calvin asked, folding himself into the chair across from me. “It’s been a while. You grew up. You look . . .” He studied me. “Fabulous.”

I blushed at the compliment. “You grew up as well. Looking better than the scrawny boy I remember.” Calvin and I were the same age.

He wasn’t the twelve-year-old boy who had helped me once. Now, he stood around six feet tall, and he'd been working out based on his muscular form. He’d played an important role in my past, and I had wished he had the chance to get out of The Triad like my family did.

I had so many questions for him, but I feared that the dark past would come flooding back if I asked. Then ugly things would start floating like debris, disturbing me. It was best to leave the past where it belonged.

“What’s going on?” His hands moved to a steeple in front of him.

Nerves twisted my stomach. “I know it’s odd to just come out of the blue after so many years and ask for your help, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“Help with what?”His eyebrows furrowed.

“Are you still heavily involved with The Taipans? Or are you just working for their wine label?”

He smiled. “They’re my family, Viv. My dad lived and died as a member of The Taipans. And so will I.”

The members of The Triad valued brotherhood, respect, and honor. I’d learned that these definitions varied between people and circumstances.

The elders seemed to value honor more so than the younger generation. One time, I witnessed a punishment at my grandfather’s massive house when I’d gotten lost and wandered around. I hadn’t seen my grandfather’s fury until that day when he beat a man to death. But that man had raped and killed a member’s wife. What kind of “brother” would do that?

At that moment, the line between right and wrong blurred for me. I never told my parents what I’d witnessed.

“Why didn’t you get out?” I asked. “You loved astronomy. You could have . . . made a difference in the world.”

He sat back in the chair, surprised by my statement just as much as I was. It wasn’t my business, but I couldn’t help it.

“Like what you’re doing? I hear you’re a dentist in California. Why are you in Providence?”

“Before I answer your question, I just wanted to thank you for helping me back then. I would’ve died if you hadn’t stopped him.”

His expression turned serious. “I’m sorry about your mom.”