I want to taste the madness on this man.
And by the way that heads turn when he enters the room, I’m not the only one.
He has an entourage of security flanking him on both sides, though from his very presence, it’s clear the man can take care of himself. It’s all for show… Nick Hudson can shred anyone to pieces with his bare hands if he needs to.
But he never needs to.
“He’s not a man to mess with,” Sasha continues. “His name, and his private club known as Wonderland give him a reputation as a man to party with, a man to have on your side, a man to work with, but definitely not a man to cross.”
I remain quiet, not letting on that I know exactly who Nick Hudson is. I already know he’s one of the leaders of the underground, and he knows the dance of the devil intimately. And after learning everything about this man, I know I want to tango with his darkness.
Maybe it’s because he’s the first person I’ve obsessed over other than a Morelli. I see someone I want to be in him. I want a name like his.
A name to be respected. A name to be feared.
Right now, my name—Lyriope Bailey—is a name that remains in the shadows.
Forgotten. Not important. A side note.
But not him. There is nothing about this man that can be forgotten.
I’m fascinated with the tales and stories of debauchery that surround Wonderland. And though the Morellis are exclusive, Wonderland is truly restricted as it’s invite only for the few. I want the key. I want the pass to enter. I want a seat at one of his infamous tea parties.
His eyes dart around the room, taking in each person. He lingers on some, nods at others, but when his eyes finally find mine, he pauses. He seems to stare longer on me than anyone else, but maybe it’s wishful thinking. Maybe it’s the sculpture I’m next to that has his interest, or maybe there is someone standing behind me who he’s actually taking in.
Or maybe… just maybe… my own darkness is attracting his. Maybe my fucked-up self is a magnet to jagged edges.
Maybe he likes the silver dress I’m wearing, and it’s hypnotizing him.
Or maybe—and just like that, he looks away.
“I need to go say hello to others and not stand here too long or people may question who you are,” Sasha says. “Promise me you won’t stay for much longer. Uncle Bryant will catch on to who you are if you keep lurking.”
I nod as she walks off to join her family, but I have no intention of leaving just yet. My eyes haven’t left Nick Hudson, and I’m not sure I can simply pull them away.
I see Nick whisper to one of his security guards, and then his attention is diverted elsewhere, and the bubble of hope that I’m the center of his attention is gone. A split second of lustful thoughts, ideals of grandeur, and now I’m just the bastard child… alone.
I sip from my champagne and scan the room again. I no longer can see Hudson as he’s merged into the sea of beautiful people. Lights twinkle all around, and yet, I’ve never felt so lost in the dark.
And then I see the grim reaper himself enter the party, his head going side to side searching.
Fuck.
The Sidorov family’s soldier is here. Maxim is here. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Is he here simply because it’s a Morelli party or… could he be looking for me to collect the money owed?
I know the answer.
Me. He wants me.
Well… he’s here for me or money. And since I have no money…
He’s on the hunt, and it’s only a matter of time until he sniffs me out.
Why did I come to this party? My obsession with the Morelli family is going to get me killed. I should already be in hiding. I should…
It’s too late now.
He’s standing near the only exit I’m aware of, and most likely he’s not alone. My guess is he’s already found my car, and has men patrolling outside just waiting for me to walk into their trap. He’ll do this in a dignified matter. No one is foolish enough to ruin a Morelli party, which is why I know they are going to wait for me to leave.
Placing my flute of champagne down, I spin on my heels and head down a hallway. I have to find another place to hide, plan, and escape unnoticed. The music of the party and the laughter of the guests seem to raise my panic to epic levels. I need to think. Maxim can’t find me. Especially not here. I can’t have this all go down on Morelli soil. I refuse to let my blood be shed here. Not here. I don’t want Bryant and his children to know how much my family’s in debt and that I fucked up by getting us in even more debt but with ruthless killers as our debtors. Lucian has the power to save me. So does Leo. Actually… so do so many in that family. But I don’t want them to know what I did. I’d rather die than them know that I can’t protect myself without falling on my ass.