His grin is malevolent. “They’ll regret it.”
I believe him.
“Why are you doing all of this?” I ask. “The dress, the event… what’s the point?”
He’s quiet for a moment, as if giving the question serious thought. Then he leans down, his mouth close enough to my ear to cause goosebumps to erupt on my arms.
“Because I want the world to see what’s mine,” he says. “And I want you to see yourself the way I see you—strong, beautiful, unbreakable.”
He pulls back, his gaze holding mine.
“Now, time for Lara to work her magic. We leave in two hours.”
He walks to the door, pausing before leaving.
“Thea?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For saying yes.”
Then he’s gone.
I stand there in the burgundy gown, my reflection staring back at me. What is it he sees that I don’t? How is it that he seems to be able to look right inside of me, see the person I’ve always hoped I was, but never thought I’d be?
I look at my reflection.Reallylook at it. For the first time in a long time, I don’t hate what I see.
I look powerful. Beautiful.
And I like it.
CHAPTER 13
THEA
The Belvedere looks a hell of a lot different when you’re not scrubbing toilets.
I’ve walked into this building hundreds of times, though always through the service entrance, always in my uniform, always invisible. But tonight, stepping out of Gabriel’s town car in a gown that’s like nothing I’ve ever worn before, the gold-trimmed revolving doors feel like portals to another dimension.
Gabriel’s hand settles at the small of my back. His touch is warm, steady, and possessive.
“Ready?”
I’m absolutely not ready.
“Sure.”
The doorman—Marcus, who used to look the other way whenever I snuck out with day-old pastries from the buffet line—doesn’t even recognize me. He tips his hat with a polite “Good evening” and gestures toward the doors for us to enter.
We make our way to the grand ballroom, which has been completely transformed. Crystal chandeliers blaze, a string quartet plays something elegant and vaguely Vivaldi. There are women in gowns that probably cost more than most cars, and men in tuxedos that fit like second skins. Everyone is dripping in diamonds and old money.
Old blood money, if Gabriel is any indication.
When we enter, they all turn to look.