Page 97 of The Promises We Break

I can’t pass up this chance. New York City. Director. The beginning of a life I can call my own. Not ruled by the desire to please anyone else, including the parents that never wanted me, that never even cared about me.

I touch my neck, the pulse point at the base of my throat that Hudson loves to kiss, knowing if I say yes to this, I have to give up something I’ve come to rely on. A small panic filters through me. Relying on that makes me more like my mother than I want to be.

I never want to be like her.

I steel my spine and lift my chin, showing the confidence I’ve gained. The confidence in this position and myself, that Elena has pulled from me in ways that only she could inspire. The confidence it takes to make hard choices and do hard things.

Finding my best conference room smile, “When would you like me there?”

49

HUDSON

Iwatch Ember from across the room, marveling at how gorgeous she is. She fits in everywhere, yet stands out like one of the seven world wonders.

Elena, Jake, and Christian caught her attention when she was heading my direction, but then whoever this new guy is joined their conversation and hasn’t seen his way out yet.

I don’t recognize him with his mask, but I don’t think I would even if he didn’t have one on. He’s as tall as Christian and just as broad. His dark mask blends with his skin tone, and his light eyes shine through his mask with a kindness that can’t be faked.

Ember knows him. I can see it in her body language. She’s comfortable with him, and he’s a bit overly excited with their conversation. Especially when I see him reach in and touch her arm once, then again, but this time grazing her low back as he points to something on the wall. I can’t tell if it’s platonic friendliness or if I am going to jail for committing a murder tonight.

“Cruz, who’s the guy Ember is talking to?” I nod in their direction.

Cruz shifts his gaze toward the bar, stalls for a briefmoment, and although the music is loud, I can hear a distinct hitch in his breath.

Clearing his throat, “Corbin Maren. He runs Christian’s east coast operations.” Taking a sip of his champagne, he clears his throat for a second time.

“Hey, I think I see someone I know. I’m gonna go… over there.” He points in the opposite direction and shuffles off.

Weird.

I down the rest of my drink and place it on the tray of one of the wait staff walking by, grabbing two fresh ones. Ember’s glass is nearly empty, and I’ve had enough distance from her for the night.

I only get one step in her direction before someone runs directly into the right side of me. I drop one of the flutes as it crashes to the ground, and the woman stumbles over her feet, her dress getting caught in her heel as she reaches for something to prevent her fall. She grips both my arms as I try to balance both her and the drink.

“Are you okay?” I drop my gaze to meet hers, and she looks up at me, then behind her, like she’s being chased. “Miss?” I say again.

She’s wearing a sheer all white dress with a matching white mask, her olive skin and black hair a stark contrast to the brightness of her outfit in the dim room.

“I’m so sorry, thank you. Thank you for catching me.” She stands up straight, running her hands down the front of her dress, removing the bunching that occurred from her almost fall.

She looks behind her again, then back to me. “Sorry again… sorry,” she apologizes profusely, then continues to speed walk past me.

I’m a bit shocked by the encounter and just watch her dash through the lobby and toward the front entrance.

“Okaaay,” I whisper under my breath as I inspect myself tomake sure I didn’t get any champagne on my suit. A staff member walks up next to me and hands me a towel, then begins to clean up the mess that spilled on the floor.

“My apologies, sir. Let me get this cleaned up.”

I use the towel to wipe off my hands and pat him on the shoulder.

“Thank you,” I reply, taking another step toward Ember. My eyes navigate back to where she was, but before I can find her through the crowd, Seamus appears out of fucking nowhere.

“Did you see her?” There’s an urgency in his tone.

“Who?” I grip his arms, holding him back as his eyes bounce all over the room behind me.

“Me—” He cuts himself off. “The woman, the woman in white?” He’s speaking so fast, as his eyes flicker everywhere but at mine.

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