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He wants something from me.
He’s playing a game.
And every time we come together, I can’t help feeling like I’m dancing with the Devil.
It all started with a chance meeting.
With the exchange of a few angry words.
And now that I’m trapped in this man’s maze, I fear I won’t be strong enough to resist being seduced.
Nine Ruthless Men. Nine Unrepentant Sinners. Nine Irresistible Manipulators.
Brinley
“I think we showed up on the wrong night. Maybe we should come back at another-“
“We’re here now,” Ames groans, her eyes catching mine in the shadowed interior of my car. “I don’t want to make the drive again. Let’s just go in, avoid the snooty folk, and give that to your dad’s friend so we can leave and have some actual fun tonight.”
Why I even agreed to this, I don’t know. My father sounded desperate for the help, which cornered me into doing him this favor.
Still, looking at the event occurring at the Governor’s mansion, I’m inclined to turn around and leave.
Ames wiggles her brows in a reminder that we have other places to be later and I laugh. I might as well get this over with now that I’m here.
“Yeah, okay, let me just-“
A black car pulls up behind us and honks, I assume on its way to the front of the Governor’s mansion for what is quite obviously a large event.
Uniformed valets wait on the large front porch, the lights in the mansion ablaze against a purple, twilight sky that is just at the perfect shade to match Ames’ striking eyes.
Pulling over to let the car pass around me, I regret not coming here yesterday like I was supposed to do. But if we can get in and out without causing too much trouble, I’m sure the late delivery won’t be a problem.
“Oh, damn,” Ames murmurs, her elbow nudging mine. “Who the hell is that and how do I get his number?”
I turn my head in time to see a tall, dark-haired man step out of the car currently idling in front of the mansion.
From this distance, I can’t quite make out his features, but he looks familiar...and gorgeous.
The suit he wears does nothing to hide a set of broad shoulders and a tapered waist, his dark eyes set on the car to watch a woman climb out, the flowing cut of her ombré gown dancing around her legs as she steps up beside him and wraps her arm with his.
Ames snorts.
“Of course. I should have guessed he’d have a date. But maybe there are more just like him. I’ve changed my mind. We should go in and mingle for a bit, actually. Maybe steal a glass of champagne or two.”
Laughing at that, I remind her, “He might be one of the snooty folk, as you call them.”
Her gaze flicks to me.
“Looking that good, I’m sure he is. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the view.”
Whatever the event is that’s happening tonight, it’s apparently formal, which means Ames and I will stick out like sore thumbs.
If I’d known there was a party tonight, I would have at least tried to dress better than a plain white, v-neck tee and body hugging jeans.
Although, even in these clothes, I’ll stick out less than Ames. She’s already dressed for the club, her pale, pastel blue hair flowing over bare shoulders and black skin tight cami, the ends hanging down to brush the waistband of her black leather pants. The outfit does nothing to hide her dangerous curves.
“We should make this as quick as possible. It’s an hour drive back to town and you know how it gets upstairs if we arrive too late.”