Page 47 of The Sinners Gambit

“How about me?” Killian asks.

“It’s not always about you!” Axel retorts before looping his arm with mine. “Come on, you’ve had enough training. It’s time to go find outfits for the ball. It’s almost here.”

“You’re absolutely right. We leave next week,” I say as I let him lead me out.

I turn to Killian who’s glaring at us, but I know it's fake. Blowing him an air kiss I say, “Duty calls. See you later, Killer!”

“I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes,” I hear Killian call from behind me as I try to pack my carry-on for our trip in a couple days.

I put my heels into a plastic bag, but don’t turn around. “Killian, I need to finish packing. You know how neurotic I get if I’m not prepared for a trip in advance.”

“Oh, we can make jokes about me stalking you now?” he asks.

I roll my eyes. “I guess. It’s only fair. I stalked you first and you didn’t even know.”

“Touché! But please, I made something for you.”

A smile grazes my lips. “You did?”

“Yes, so please humor me,” he pleads.

“Okay,” I say as I close my eyes before turning to face him. “I’m ready.”

I put my palms face up toward him, and I feel him place something big yet light on them.

“Okay, open,” Killian says.

Opening my eyes, I’m presented with a beautiful dream catcher. Tears fill my eyes. “Killian, th-this is beautiful.”

It has taupe-brown leather wrapped around the larger circle with black string crisscrossing throughout. There are some beads dangling with feathers from each end. But what really catches my eye is the bead at the center of the dreamcatcher: my red bead from that first day.

“I have an Indigenous friend who has a shop in the city. He helped me make it.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you so much,” I say as a tear slips.

He wipes the tears from my cheek. “No,you’reperfect. This is the beginning of our story, and while I can’t promise you won’t have any more nightmares, I can promise that I’ll be there to weather every storm with you.”

I lean up and kiss him before saying, “I can pack later. Right now, I want you.”

“Yes ma’am.” I can feel the smile as he kisses me.

Chapter 23

Naomi

Oneofmyfavoritesounds is how heels click-clack on the ground as I walk. Nothing screams power to me more. I feel sexy and confident in my black floor-length gown that has a very deep slit on the right side. I’m finally fully embracing myself and wearing whatever the hell I want. There’s a white gold charm dangling from my thigh with the letter K on it. Killian was unhelpful with getting it on at the hotel because he kept getting too distracted. We arrived in France for the annual Mortes Ostium Ball a few short hours ago.

“Have I told you how ravishing you look?” he asks, as he walks up and greets me on my right side.

“Only five hundred times.” I smile at him. “You don’t look half bad yourself.” He’s dressed in a classic black tuxedo with cufflinks that are the letter N. I’m not the only one being claimed tonight.

We look around the room through our matching silver and gold masquerade masks. It’s a full house, a hundred or so people here already. I take in the space as we walk to our seats. It looks amazing with gold, silver, and black accents throughout. It’s crazy to think this was a museum with regular patrons only a few days ago. But now it’s all ours, the deadliest yet safest gathering.

Killian pulls out my chair for me, and I take a seat, admiring the rust-red and purple roses in their black vases. “These are hauntingly beautiful!” I exclaim.

He nods like he’s taking a mental note. A man walks up on the stage with golden-blond hair and beautifully tan skin.

“I guess it’s speech time,” Killian whispers as he takes a seat next to me.

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