The next morning, Everleigh stood in front of the mirror, dressed for her first day at the new photography studio.

She wore a simple black turtleneck and slacks.

The yellow diamond was tucked safely under the fabric, resting against her skin like a hot coal.

"Too flashy," she muttered. "Definitely too flashy for a junior assistant."

Her phone rang, An unknown number.

"Hello?"

"You think you're clever, don't you?" Darrin's voice screamed into her ear. "Blocking me? Getting me thrown out of Cartier?"

Her grip on the phone tightened. "Darrin, stop. It's over."

"It's not over until I say it's over!" he yelled. "And that ring? It's fake. Just like you. Who is he? Some old sugar daddy you found on Craigslist?"

"He's my husband," Evie said, her voice shaking but firm. "And he's worth a thousand of you."

"I have photos, Everleigh," Darrin hissed. "Private photos. From that weekend in the Hamptons. If you don't come back and beg..."

The blood drained from her face. "You wouldn't."

"Try me. I'll post them everywhere. I'll send them to your new boss."

Panic, cold and suffocating, clawed at her throat.

Suddenly, there was a sound on the line. A loud thud. Then a scuffle.

"Hey! Who are you? Get off me!" Darrin shrieked.

Then, silence.

A new voice came on the line. Calm. Mechanical. Terrifying.

"Mrs. Williams?"

"Who... who is this?"

"I am legal counsel for Mr. G's firm. We have been monitoring the situation. The pest has been neutralized."

"Neutralized?" Evie gasped. "Did you kill him?"

"We are law-abiding citizens, ma'am," the lawyer said smoothly. "We have simply confiscated his phone and served him with a restraining order. He is currently crying in the hallway."

She could hear faint sobbing in the background. It was definitely Darrin.

"And the photos?" she whispered.

"Deleted. The cloud backup has been scrubbed. The device has been... bricked. You are safe."

"Gus sent you?"

"Mr. G does not tolerate threats against his family. Our corporate security and legal departments are... thorough. Have a good day at work, Mrs. Williams."

The line went dead.

Evie stood there, trembling, a cold dread mixing with a strange sense of security. Corporate security? What kind of 'guy who got lucky in the market' had a legal team that could move that fast, that ruthlessly? It felt like a tank had been used to kill a fly. She opened the Enigma app.

Thank you, she typed. You saved me.

Go to work, Gus replied instantly. Don't be late. I hear the traffic on 5th is bad.

Evie smiled, wiping a tear from her cheek. He was watching. It should have been creepy, but after Darrin... it felt like a warm blanket.

She took a taxi to the studio.

The HR manager, a woman with cat-eye glasses, stared at the lump under Evie's shirt where the ring was, but didn't say anything.

"Welcome to the team, Everleigh," she said. "Your desk is in the back. The newbie corner."

Evie walked to the back. Kerry, a senior photographer with a reputation for eating assistants alive, looked her up and down.

"So you're the charity case," she sneered. "Heard you got in on a portfolio waiver."

"I got in on merit," Evie said, setting down her bag.

"We'll see," Kerry smirked. "Hope your skills are better than your outfit."

Evie sat down, ignoring her. She started organizing her lenses.

Suddenly, the studio door burst open. The owner, Mr. Henderson, ran in, sweating.

"Emergency! Miss Sterling is here early! She wants a portrait session now. But Marco is stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel!"

The room went silent. Miss Sterling. The heiress. The most difficult client in New York.

"I need a photographer!" Henderson yelled. "Who's free?"

No one moved. Everyone knew Sterling ate photographers for breakfast.

Evie stood up. Her legs were shaking, but her hands were steady.

"I'll do it," she said.

Kerry laughed. "You? The newbie? You'll destroy the studio's reputation in five minutes."

Evie looked at Henderson. "Give me ten minutes. If she hates it, you can fire me."

Henderson looked desperate. "Fine. You're up. Don't screw this up."

Miss Sterling was sitting in the makeup chair, scrolling through her phone with a look of profound boredom. She was beautiful in a sharp, icy way.

"You're the photographer?" she asked without looking up. "You look like an intern."

"I'm Everleigh," Evie said, checking the light meter. "And I'm going to take the best photo of you you've ever had."

Miss Sterling looked up then, raising an eyebrow. "Bold."

Evie walked over to the lighting rig. She noticed a cable was loose-Kerry had kicked it on her way out. She plugged it back in, shooting a glare at Kerry, who was watching from the shadows with a smirk.

Evie turned back to Miss Sterling. "The light is too harsh for your bone structure. We need to soften it."

Evie moved the softbox. She didn't ask for permission. She just worked.

"Chin down," she instructed. "Turn to the left. No, too much. There."

Evie stepped closer. She reached out and tucked a stray hair behind Miss Sterling's ear. Her fingers brushed her skin.

"Relax," Evie whispered. "Stop posing. Stop trying to look rich."

"Excuse me?" Miss Sterling bristled.

"I want you to think about someone," Evie said, lifting the camera. "Someone you want to impress. Not with your money, but with your soul."

Miss Sterling's expression changed. The ice melted. A softness entered her eyes, a vulnerability that transformed her face.

Click.

Evie took the shot.

"Got it," she said.

Ten minutes later, they were looking at the monitor. The photo was stunning. It wasn't just a portrait; it was a confession.

Miss Sterling stared at it. "I look... human."

"You look beautiful," Evie said.

"You're hired," Miss Sterling said, turning to Henderson. "She's my photographer now. Only her."

Henderson beamed, patting Evie on the back. Kerry looked like she had swallowed a lemon.

As Miss Sterling was leaving, she paused. "Do you know why I needed this photo?"

"Magazine cover?" Evie guessed.

"No," Miss Sterling sighed. "Matchmaking. My mother is trying to set me up with the Williams heir. Agustus Williams."

Evie's stomach dropped. That name again.

"The... tyrant?" she asked.

"The very one," Miss Sterling laughed. "Apparently, his mother, Victoria, loves art. She thinks a soulful portrait will convince her son to meet me. He's impossible. Picky. Cold."

"Good luck," Evie said, forcing a smile. Thank god I have Gus, she thought. My Gus is warm. My Gus buys me diamonds and protects me.

"Anyway," Sterling said. "I'm hosting a party tonight at the Obsidian Club. You should come. Bring a friend."

She handed Evie an invite and left.

Evie texted Illa. Party tonight?

Yes! Illa replied. Celebration!

Evie texted Gus. Can I go to a party tonight?

Obsidian Club? he replied.

How did you know?

I have eyes everywhere, he wrote. Go. Have fun. But behave.

Are you in London? she asked. Yes. But I'll be watching.

Evie touched the ring under her shirt. It felt like he was there with her.

The Obsidian Club was dark, loud, and smelled of expensive perfume and secrets.

Illa dragged Everleigh through the crowd, pointing out celebrities.

Evie was wearing one of Illa's dresses, a midnight blue silk number that clung to every curve. The yellow diamond hung around her neck, a beacon in the dim light.

"Everyone is talking about the Williams family," Illa whispered. "Rumor is one of them is here."

"Your brother?" Evie asked, looking around nervously.

"God, I hope not. If Agustus is here, the temperature will drop ten degrees."

Suddenly, a cheer went up near the bar. A man was holding court. He was handsome, flashy, wearing a velvet blazer.

"That's Hakeem," Illa said, relaxing. "My other brother. The pop star. He's safe."

Hakeem spotted Illa and bounded over. "Little sister! And who is this vision?"

"This is Everleigh," Illa said. "The girl you stood up last month."

Hakeem's eyes widened. "The blind date? I missed this? I'm an idiot." He took Evie's hand, bringing it to his lips. "Can I make it up to you?"

Evie pulled her hand back, smiling politely. "I'm married."

"Married?" Hakeem blinked. "To who? That Gus guy Illa talks about?"

"Yes."

Hakeem leaned in, squinting at the diamond on Evie's neck. He let out a low whistle. "Whoa. That is a serious rock. Your husband isn't playing around. He must be one of the Jersey Williams cousins."

He looked at Evie, then lowered his voice. "Word of advice? Watch out. My big brother, Agustus, is on the warpath tonight. Someone stole something he wanted. He's in a foul mood."

"I'll keep that in mind," Evie said.

Up on the mezzanine level, behind a pane of one-way glass, Agustus Williams stood with a glass of scotch in his hand. His knuckles were white.

He watched Hakeem flirting with his wife. He watched Hakeem touch her hand.

He pulled out his phone.

Step away from her, Hakeem. Unless you want to be reassigned to the Antarctica branch.

Down on the floor, Hakeem checked his phone. He paled. He looked around wildly, then practically jumped away from Evie.

"I... uh... I have to go," Hakeem stammered, his entire demeanor changing from suave to terrified in a split second. "Emergency. Nice meeting you, Everleigh!"

He bolted.

"Weird," Evie said.

Her phone buzzed.

Go home, Evie, Gus texted. The party is over.

Are you watching me? she typed, feeling a shiver.

Turn around. Look up.

Evie turned. She looked up at the VIP balcony. It was a wall of black glass. She couldn't see anything. But she could feel it.

He was there.

Evie stared at the glass, her heart pounding. Was he the man in the shadows?

A waiter, rushing past with a tray of martinis, slammed into her.

"Oh no!"

Cold liquid soaked the front of her dress.

"I am so sorry!" the waiter gasped.

Before she could even react, a manager appeared out of nowhere. He had an earpiece in.

"Mrs. Williams?" he said urgently. "Please, come with me. We have a change of clothes waiting. The gentleman upstairs insists."

Evie looked at the black glass one last time. Gus wasn't just watching. He was ruling.