Page 9 of Goldsin

The last thing I need is to give Lucian an excuse to go after my mother even more than he already does. He’d love that.

And I would love nothing more than to lose myself in the adrenaline the Den offers. There, the only rules are the rules I make.

There, I’m in control. Here, I’m just another pawn in his twisted game.

But things are different here. My actions don’t only affect me.

For my mother’s sake, I have to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if that means diving headfirst into the darkness that is Lucian’s world.

I weave through the crowd. There’s a tension in the air that seems to grow thicker with each passing second, but I can’t pinpoint the source or the reason.

Feeling eyes on me, I catch sight of a woman with long, slender legs sauntering toward me from across the room.

I’ve seen her somewhere before ... but where?

Her dress is a burgundy silk, cut low to reveal flawless skin.

And as she nears, I know exactly who she is. She’s part of the job Lucian mentioned.

“Julian Harrow,” she purrs, running a long, perfectly manicured finger down the lapel of my suit. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Victoria.”

“Is it now?”

“Absolutely.” Her black eyes roam the length of me. “I must say ...” She lingers on the tattoos peeking out from under the open buttons of my shirt. “I’ve heard quite a lot about you.”

“Good things, I hope.”

She leans in closer, her rose perfume burning my nose as I feel her whispered words on my ear. “How about I show you just how good things can be?”

She’s attractive, sure. A pretty face. Any man’s dream.But when everything’s this perfect, it becomes boring. Nightmares have depth to them. Nightmares keep you on your toes—a fire that never stops sizzling.

She’s none of these things. She’s just Lucian’s task.

My gaze drifts past her.

This intense feeling brewing inside of me consumes me whole when I see my brother talking to Aurelia. He steps closer to her, eating up the space between them and setting my teeth on edge.

They clink their champagne flutes together in a toast.

What the fuck?

“Julian?”

I barely register Victoria’s voice.

“Excuse me,” I murmur, not bothering to look at her as I step away.

My focus is solely on Aurelia.

Her green eyes sparkle with a challenge as she looks at Adrian, and I catch the faintest hint of a blush staining her neck. Spreading to her breasts.

I guess it’s time for me to play my part.

Game on, brother.

Aurelia excuses herself, walking out of the ballroom. She turns a corner and disappears into the corridor.

And like her shadow, I quicken my pace to catch up.

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