Page 135 of The Colour of Revenge

“They’ll have to,” I say. “Dominic’s type thrives on appearances. He won’t just lock her away until the wedding. He’ll make her play the part of the dutiful daughter, the perfect fiancée. If I can figure out where that party is…”

“You’ll make your move,” Enzo finishes, his tone grim.

I nod. “Not to take her, not yet. But I need to get close enough to plant a seed. To let her know I’m here. That she’s not alone. It’ll give her the strength to fight back. I know it will.”

“And if Dominic’s watching her every move?” Kai asks, crossing his arms.

“Then I’ll make him watch me instead,” I snap, a dark smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “He wants to play games? Fine. Let’s play.”

For the first time in weeks, the haze of despair lifts, replaced by the cold, calculating focus I know so well. Carina doesn’t belong to Dominic or Moretti. She’s mine. And they’re about to find out what happens when they try to take her from me.

“Start digging,” I tell Enzo. “I want to know every detail about Moretti’s operations, every connection he has to Dominic. I want their schedules, their security, their vulnerabilities. I want everything.”

Enzo nods, already pulling out his laptop.

“And you?” I turn to Kai. “Find out where that engagement party is happening. Don’t stop until you have it.”

Kai hesitates for only a second before nodding.

As they get to work, I stand, staring at Carina’s face on the screen. My pulse thrums with purpose, my mind already piecing together the threads of my plan.

Hold on, Princess. I’m coming. And when I do, I’ll burn their world to the ground.

The Regency Hotel looms ahead, its façade glowing with an almost oppressive brilliance. The grandeur of the place makes my skin crawl; it’s exactly the kind of setting Lucian Moretti would choose. A predator like him revels in this opulence, hiding his darkness behind a façade of wealth and power. Just like my father. Just like hers.

The forged invitation in my pocket feels heavier than it should, but Enzo assured me it’s perfect. Tonight, I’m not just Nate—the man who would burn the world for her. Tonight, I have to be someone else—someone polished, composed, invisible. A role I’ve learned to play well over the years.

As I step inside, the scent of the lobby hits me—polished wood, expensive cologne, champagne. Everything about this place screams money.

The ballroom doors are ahead, guarded by a couple of men checking invitations and waving people inside. My pulse hammers in my ears as I reach them, forcing myself to walk with calm confidence. Carina needs me focused. She needs me to stay in control.

I hand over the invitation with a small, polite smile, making some casual comment about the crowd to distract the guy. He barely glances at the paper before nodding and letting me through.

And then I see her.

She’s standing near the far end of the room, wrapped in a black dress that clings to her frame—a frame that looks far too thin. Her hair is swept up, exposing the delicate line of her neck, but the fire in her eyes, the spark that always drew me to her, is gone.

Lucian stands beside her, his hand possessively on her back as he leans in to whisper something in her ear. I see her shoulders tense at his touch, her head dipping in a mechanical nod like she doesn’t dare do anything else.

Something black and violent surges in my chest. I force myself to stay rooted, to not storm across the room and rip his fucking throat out.

I can’t. Not yet.

I grab a champagne flute from a passing waiter, slipping into the crowd. I keep my movements calm, forcing my breathing to steady, even as my eyes never leave her.

I’m here now.

And no matter what it takes, I’m going to get her out of this.

The party drags on, stretching late into the night. I stay on the edges, blending into the shadows like I’ve done a hundred times before— watching, waiting, stalking. My eyes never leave Carina.

She hasn’t left Lucian’s side once. He keeps her close, his hand always somewhere on her body—her arm, her waist, her back—as if he’s staking a claim.

Dominic looms nearby, his hawk-like gaze scanning the room. Is he searching for threats? For me? Or maybe he’s just making sure she doesn’t try to escape.

It’s only when she finally excuses herself to the restroom that I see my chance.

I slip out of the crowd, trailing behind her, careful to keep my movements inconspicuous. My heart pounds in my chest as I glance over my shoulder, ensuring no one notices me.