Page 134 of Hunters and Prey

Chapter 20

Connor’s mansionwas swarmed with people, cars, and decorations when Cailyn returned.

The stairs waited before her. Her heels tapped along the concrete as she ran up to the front entrance. She paused before the doormen, hoping they’d simply glance at her invitation.

“Identification,” the tall slick-haired doorman said.

Cailyn raised a brow, looking down at his hand. She looked up to him.

“Really?”

He nodded.

She huffed and searched her gold clutch for her driver’s license.

“I live here. How could you not know that?” She handed her license to him, annoyed.

“Everyone gets carded, ma’am.” He read her ID, looking up at her and back at her photo.

“She’s clear,” he said and the other man opened the door.

“Enjoy your night, Miss Alexander.”

“Yeah,” Cailyn grumbled, smoothing her dress. She entered the lobby.

A pretty blonde in a black cocktail dress took her coat and handed her a ticket before retreating to the coat check closet made from the study at the front of the mansion.

Everything looked different from just a few hours ago. The foyer was decorated to look like a haunted house with men and women dressed in horrifying costumes depicting vampires, devils, and witches.

The real monster didn’t even need a costume.

Cailyn straightened her dress and took a breath. “Here goes.”

As she stepped from the foyer to the main ballroom, the number of people present made her nervous.

“Whoa,” she whispered as her eyes took in the grandeur before her.

Spider webs covered the walls and ceiling. Purple and red lights flickered, making the room feel like an expensive nightclub.

The beauty, pomp, and theatrics left her spellbound.

There was a time when her parents would host parties like this in Alexander Hall. Cailyn and Asher would play outside instead, chasing fireflies, or hanging out in the attic.

“You’ve made it right on time,” a deep male voice called from her right. She turned to see Connor Prince approaching her with two champagne flutes. He gave her his bright smile, revealing perfect white teeth and a dimple in his right cheek.

He looked genuinely pleased to see her, and she noted how handsome he was in his costume. She instantly knew who he was supposed to be.

“Prince Charming…from Cinderella, right?”

He had the costume down to the exact buttons from the movie. She raised a brow as she looked him up and down.

He nodded. “Good eye. I figured you’d figure it out. It was your favorite movie when we were in school together.”

Cailyn’s smile almost faltered. She blinked. “You remembered that?” She now wished she could remember him from that time that wasn’t that long ago.

Connor definitely had layers. If the circumstances had been different, she might have explored them.

But not today.

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