230. Petra sat in her father’s study, her fingers drumming on the arm of the chair. She could hear the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner, remembering how she had always hated the sound and likened it to dreadful things. Her father sat on the other side of the desk, scribbling something down as if she wasn’t even there. “Enough, I’m here.” Petra said, tired of being ignored. Her father lifted his head slowly, his dark eyes narrowing. “Excuse me, dear?” “I said enough, papa.” Petra repeated, louder this time. “I’m here because I’m done following your orders. I’m not your soldier, I’m not your dog.” The room grew still as she said that. Her father put his pen down carefully, as though her words had been a personal insult to him. “You’ve lost your mind, dear.” He said in a calm voice. “I’ve never sent you to do anything for me.” “No, not directly.” Petra snapped, leaning forward. “For the first time in my life, I’ve found it. I’m sick of you, papa! You made

The lights sparkled above, making the polished marble floors look wonderfully ethereal. The charity gala looked beautiful from the outside, with the music coming from the grand piano, and the chatter and “rich laughter” flowing through the air, champagne glasses clinking. Everyone was dressed in their best attire with fake smiles plastered on faces, more money than they needed in their pockets ready to be flaunted. But beneath the glamour, Devin Stone had already pulled strings to make this an event to be remembered, and not just as a charity function. His eyes swept the crowd as he stood near the main table, and his tall glass of wine was untouched. To anyone else, he looked calm, and controlled, as he was the perfect host of the evening. But in reality, his mind was cold as steel. He had invited so many people on short notice, claiming that it was for a good cause, but the night wasn’t simply about charity. Tonight was about bait. “Mr Stone.” A senator’s wife greeted, brushin

233. Devin still stood there, his chest rising and falling, his hand slowly lowering after throwing Eva’s redheaded girl against the wall. He hadn’t meant to throw her that hard, but that was all in his wrist he guessed. The woman groaned on the floor, coughing, but no one dared to move towards her. “What did you say to me?” Devin asked, frowning. Eva chuckled. “I said that my sister was married to a fucking coward!” Eva’s eyes shone, ready to start a fight. Suddenly, a shrill voice rang out “Stop!” Heads turned to see Yvonne Hall. She pushed her way through, and her hair was messy. She stopped between them, her arms spread as if she could somehow keep the two predators apart from tearing each other. “Devin, please!” She begged, her voice trembling. “Don’t do this. Don’t fight her, not here, and especially not tonight.” Devin’s brows drew together, his eyes narrowing on her. “Yvonne, what the fuck are you doing?” “I’m saving you from yourself.” She said desperate