Page 21 of Goldsin

Stupid.

Stupidly hopeful.

I need to stop thinking of Julian Harrow. But when I think back to Lady Marlowe, he invades my thoughts again.

How deep does Julian’s connection with Lady Marlowe go?

I can’t help but to dig deeper.

What if targeting Lady Marlowe will hurt Julian too?

I let him take root in my heart, where he once was and never left.

Why do I suddenly care about him?

Did I ever stop?

His recent interest in me is already complicating things. He’s finally talking to me after ignoring me for years, and I suddenly feel obliged to consider him when planning my next move.

He could throw everything to shit.

Or maybe, just maybe, he’s a blessing in disguise.

Can I use their friendship to bring her down?

I bite my lower lip, tasting the peach lip oil.

I don’t know anything about Lady Marlowe or her role in the Inferno Consortium, but if she’s here at the penthouse, talking directly with Lucian, then she’s ranked highly. Too highly for me to just ignore. I need to get close to her and learn her secrets, her weaknesses. Playing nice could be my best weapon—at least until I have more intel on her.

I’m about to get lost in the labyrinth of light gray walls, black-and-white marble floors, and the occasional abstract expressionist artwork, when I spot her sitting on the white cushions of the couch.

She must have escorted Julian to his father’s office and then headed through the adjoining corridor on the east side to get here before me.

Valentine can wait. When will I get another opportunity like this?

“Lady Marlowe?” I approach her with a confident stride even though my heart could give outat any second. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name’s Aurelia Draven.”

As I sit down next to her, every nerve in my body spikes, on high alert. I subtly scan the room in my peripheral for any potential intruders who might divert her attention from our conversation or cast a shadow of suspicion over me.

It’s no secret that my relationship with the Harrow brothers is complicated at best and lethal at worst. Me being at the penthouse isn’t weird since Valentine works here, the boss to every single one of these panicked guards, but if anyone finds me speaking to a member of the Inferno Consortium without Adrian or Julian by my side, their suspicions could arise. Especially now that another empire has just crumbled.

But I’m not too worried.

I’m ready to deflect any intrusion with a distracting comment about the latest society gossip, or with a charming smile. I’m not blind to the way the guards look at me.

“Ah, you must be the golden one.” Her words slither down my body. “You’re quite the entertainment around here.”

Her voice pitches high on the last three words, carrying a sense of superiority that makes my teeth grind. Sharp black eyes sweep over me like scorching coal, making my gut instincts scream.

Danger, danger.You know nothing about her.

Ignoring it, I stand tall, chin jutted out, as I refuse to let my unease ruin this precious chance. Instead Ievaluate her too, picking up every detail about her that could become a potential clue—a weapon to use or avoid.

Her long, chocolate-brown hair is pinned behind her shoulders, not even a strand out of place. The expensiveRabannedress hugs her petite frame as she crosses her long legs.

She projects power and wealth.

Yet there’s something else that makes my heart thunder in my chest. Whatever lurks behind those vacant eyes, I recognize it all too well.

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