Page 69 of Relentless Sinner

“Gabriella?”

“I don’t know what to say about it.”

“Do you regret it?”

I wish she hadn’t asked me that. It’s the kind of question that has an answer that will make me feel worse. “I should have known better. He’s only using me.”

She grabs my hand with the engagement ring and holds it up to the light. “You know that I know my jewels. A man doesn’t buy a ring like this for a woman he’s merely using.”

“Hewould, just to make a statement.”

“I guess you’d know him better than me but that’s one hell of a costly statement to make.”

“What are you trying to say, Cora?”

“I don’t think you would have mentioned what happened between you if it wasn’t important to you in some way.”

“Maybe it’s screwing with me because he’s the first guy I’ve been with in a long time.”

“Or maybe that’s the part that’s important. I know you. You would never have been with him if you didn’t want to. All I’ll say is, be careful. It doesn’t really change anything, does it?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t.”

“I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to tell you to stay when we may have found a way out. But…that’s for you to decide. Now you have a choice.” She gives me an understanding smile.

Choice.That’s something I’ve almost never had.

“The signal is the wordsunshine,” she adds, nervously looking over her shoulder. I follow her gaze and see the guards approaching.

“Sunshine.”

“I’ll call or text you and you’ll know what to do. We’ll strike while Jaxon is away.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

As Eve and I enter the grand hall of the Astoria I’m swept away by the beautiful French Provençal meets Rococo décor.

The Astoria is an invite-only association for the wealthy and those who have the world at their fingertips.

I’ve been here before for other functions and celebrations. Each event has been decorated according to the theme of the function, almost giving it a life of its own.

Tonight is no different. In fact it’s perhaps the best I’ve ever seen it. I guess it would need to be to host Jaxon Bortsov’s engagement party.

“I always love coming here,” Eve says, looking around at the people all dressed in stunning formal wear. And casting curious glances my way. “It’s always so beautifully decorated. I feel like I’m attending a grand ball.”

“Yes, me too.”

“Especially dressed up like this.” She gives a little tug on her dress and I smile.

She’s wearing a beautiful beige A-line evening dress that compliments her pale skin tone. My dress does the same for me. It’s a sleeveless rose-gold gown with sequins splashed over the fabric.

It’s the kind of dress that draws attention because it’s so beautiful. I’m just not in the mood for that kind of attention because people are already looking at me.

“You look beautiful, Eve.”

“So do you, my dear.” She smiles and links her arm with mine.

I try to share her excitement and smile back at her but I’m so nervous my mind feels like scrambled eggs.