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.

Three days later, Miss Sterling came back to the studio. She looked happy.

"My mother loved the photo," she said, handing Evie a check. "She wants to meet you."

"That's great," Evie said, looking at the check. It was a lot of money.

"And," Sterling continued, "she has a favor. A job."

"What kind of job?"

"She wants a portrait of her son. Agustus."

Evie froze. "The tyrant?"

"Yes. He hates photos. He scares photographers. But Mom thinks you have the magic touch. She wants a portrait for the family archives. Which really means she wants a photo to send to potential brides."

"I... I don't know," Evie said. "Illa says he turns people to stone."

"Fifty thousand dollars," Sterling said.

Evie choked. Fifty thousand. That would pay off her student loans. It would give her freedom.

"I'll do it," she said.

She went home and told Illa. Illa screamed.

"You are going into the beast's lair!" Illa yelled. "Wear armor. Do not look him in the eye."

Evie texted Gus.

I have a job on Monday. At Williams Tower.

Doing what? he replied.

Photographing the monster. Agustus Williams. Wish me luck.

He's not a monster, Gus wrote back. Maybe he's just... misunderstood.

Illa says he eats people, Evie typed.

Illa is dramatic, Gus replied. Maybe he's handsome.

Not as handsome as you, she sent.

There was a long pause. Then: Good answer. I'll be in meetings all day Monday. So I won't be able to text.

Monday morning, Evie stood in the lobby of the Williams Tower. It was like entering a fortress. Security scanners, NDA forms, stern guards.

She was escorted to the top floor. The executive suite. It was silent, carpeted, and smelled of money.

"You have ten minutes," the secretary said, looking terrified. "Mr. Williams is in a meeting, but he will step out."

Evie set up her camera in the hallway. She waited.

Suddenly, the double doors at the end of the hall opened. A group of men in suits poured out.

In the center of them was a man. He was tall. Taller than everyone else. He was wearing a charcoal suit that fit him like a second skin.

He was walking away from her, toward a private elevator.

"Mr. Williams!" the secretary called out.

He didn't stop. He just raised a hand, dismissing them.

Evie lifted her camera. She didn't have a clear shot of his face. Just his back. The breadth of his shoulders. The way his hand adjusted his cufflink.

Click.

She took the shot just as the elevator doors closed.

Evie lowered the camera. Her heart was thumping. Even from the back, he radiated power. And... familiarity.