Page 4 of Before Dawn

“I can hear you both. No need to whisper.” His lips curled into a teasing grin. “Hello to you, too.”

Azzaria froze, her usual quick wit apparently short-circuited. Her cheeks flushed, and her shock melted into something softer.Warmer.

I smirked, leaning in just enough to stir the pot. “Am I interrupting something?”

She shot me a look that promised retribution, but her gaze quickly darted back to her boss. Their eyes locked again, the intensity between them so thick it felt like the room had tilted slightly.

“Shall we?” he gestured toward the entrance, his voice smooth as the guard stepped aside with a reluctant grunt.

Azzaria stepped past the rope, her arm barely grazing his—but the way Dillon’s gaze flicked to hers, you’d think she set him on fire.

I followed, unable to shake the buzz of excitement in my chest.

The VIP section was a world of its own—glittering chandeliers, plush velvet couches, sleek metal accents, and the hum of money in the air. Warm lighting bathed the space, where exotic flowers adorned glass tables. Large windows framed by silk drapes showcased breathtaking views of the city skyline, a detail I loved most.

But my focus wasn’t on the surroundings. It was on Azzaria and Dillon, whose every glance and subtle move seemed charged with something electric.

I leaned closer to Azzaria, nudging her lightly as we walked further. “You need to go talk to him,” I whispered, trying to sound casual despite the growing grin on my face.

“What?No!” Her wide eyes darted toward Dillon, who was busy chatting with a sharply dressed man near the bar. “I can’t leave you here by yourself.”

I rolled my eyes, waving her off. “Yes, you can. I’ll be fine. Go get your billionaire.”

She froze, her jaw dropping slightly as her cheeks deepened to an even darker shade of pink. “He’s notmybillionaire,” she mumbled, looking everywhere but at me. “He is my boss.”

“Not yet,” I teased, crossing my arms as I tilted my head toward him. “He’s clearly interested, or he wouldn’t be looking at you like that.”

Azzaria hesitated, chewing her bottom lip as her gaze flickered between Dillon and me. “But I don’t want to abandon you. What if you—”

“I’ll be fine!” I cut her off with a soft laugh. “Look around. This place is crawling with potential distractions. I’m not going to die of boredom.”

“But you will die of anxiety.”

“I’m plied with enough whiskey to survive. Go.”

She studied me for a moment longer, searching my face for any sign of hesitation. When she didn’t find any, she exhaled a shaky breath. “Okay... but if anything happens, come get me. I mean it.”

“Go.” I gave her a playful shove in Dillon’s direction. “Don’t waste this.”

Her steps were slow at first, hesitant, like she was walking a tightrope. But then, as if something clicked into place, I saw the shift—the way her shoulders squared and her chin lifted just slightly.

Dillon turned toward her almost immediately, his gaze locking onto her with an intensity that made my stomach flip.Yeah. My best friend was in for a very interesting night.

I sank into the plush red sofa, the deep fabric wrapping around me like a cocoon. I was just starting to relax when a familiar scent curled into my senses—something warm, rich, and unmistakably male.

I looked up.

And there he was.

The guy from the airport.

And damn, he was already heading my way.

I’d thought he was handsome before, but tonight? He looked like sin wrapped in white linen. His pants fit perfectly, tailored just enough to hint at powerful legs, and the matching short-sleeved shirt was tucked neatly into his waistband. The undone top button revealed a glimpse of his chest tattoos—most notably, a compass inked over his skin like it had been drawn by fate itself.

The contrast of his golden skin against the crisp white was almost criminal. His chiseled jawline, the groomed stubble, the sharp angles of his cheekbones—everything about him screamed untouchable.

And yet, all I wanted to do was touch him.

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