Page 28 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

I take my time with my makeup, trying to make it as flawless as possible. Bold red lips, dramatic winged eyeliner, and a dusting of highlighter along my cheekbones. Every stroke of the brush, every swipe of the lipstick, feels like a tiny act of rebellion, a way to get my revenge on Mark.

As I style my hair into loose, tousled waves, I can't help but wonder what Mark will think when he sees me. I hope he eats his wretched heart out.

Chapter 12 - Mark

I stand at the edge of the ballroom, my gaze sweeping over the sea of designer gowns and tuxedos. The clinking of champagne glasses and the hum of polite conversation fill the air, but it all fades into white noise as impatience claws at my insides. Another dull gathering of the city's elite, pretending to care about each other's trivial lives. But I'm not here for them. I'm here for the Letvins.

My eyes flicker to the entrance every few seconds, eager for a glimpse of the one man who gets under my skin like no other. I tap my fingers against my thigh, the rhythm mirroring the ticking clock in my head. Come on, where are you?

And where the hell is Quinn? Letvin needs to see us both together when he arrives. My heart races. What if Letvin intercepted her? My men outside are watching for her arrival, but what if they missed something and she’s in danger?

Just as I'm on the verge of losing my last shred of self-control over my spiraling thoughts, the room falls silent. Heads turn toward the entrance, and I follow their gaze.

And there she is. Quinn Desmond.

She stands at the top of the stairs, a vision in black satin. The dress clings to her curves like water, the low cut revealing an enticing glimpse of her creamy skin. A slit runs up the side, teasing at the length of her toned leg with every step.

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. I've seen her before, but never like this. Never with her hair cascading down her back in loose waves, never with her lips painted a sinful shade of red.

She's breathtaking.

Every eye in the room is on her as she descends the stairs, her heels clicking against the marble. I can't look away, can't tear my gaze from the way her dress shimmers under the chandeliers and how her hips sway with each step.

She's a goddess among mortals, and I'm not the only one who notices. Whispers follow her path, men lean in to get a better look, and women eye her with envy.

And then her eyes meet mine.

Green. They're a vivid, piercing green that cuts through the crowd and straight into my soul. For a moment, I forget how to breathe, how to think. All I know is that I need to be closer to her, to feel the heat of her skin against mine, to taste those tempting lips.

But I can't. Not without reason, not without scaring her off.

I force myself to look away, then meet her gaze again.

And when I do, she’s watching me like a hawk.

I have a feeling this party just got a whole lot more interesting.

The crowd parts like the Red Sea as Quinn makes her way toward me, her hips swaying. She is aware of the effect she has on every man in this room, myself included, and she isn’t afraid to use it to her advantage.

I can't take my eyes off her, even as I feel the lingering stares of men flicking to me, wondering who has her attention. They all desire her, and it pierces me with a peculiar jealousy, but she's only got eyes for me, and that calms my nerves.

“Do I look alright?” Her voice is like honey, sweet and smooth and teasing.

She knows she looks insanely beautiful, sexy, stunning.

“Dazzling,” I flash her my trademark grin, the one that's charmed countless women into my bed. But Quinn isn't just any woman. She's a challenge.

She raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk. “Oh, good. I was worried I might not fit in.”

Liar.

She smiles at me. “So, how boring is this party exactly?” she whispers, inching closer.

“Boring enough, but it might get interesting soon.”

“Why’s that?”

“Believe it or not, I find your company enlightening.”

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