Chapter 46
Gemma
I close the chat with Cassian and look at the inbox we’ve set up
for Moonlight.
It’s already filling with orders, which is great.
One subject line in particular catches my eye.
“Target: Blackwell.”
I open it. It’s someone who wants to target the Blackwell Pack’s weapons smuggling. That was cargo that Cassian never let me anywhere near.
I weigh what they want me to do with the impact it will have on the pack. Really, they just want me to mess with one delivery.
In the end, it will barely make a dent, and it won’t put Cassian or Grandpa Donovan in any physical danger.
I click my auto–reply and accept the job.
Zina is watching over my shoulder. She says, “Cassian just tried to hire you. You sure you want to go against him that directly?”
Chapter 46
“Oh, hell yes,” I say. “He deserves it.”
Zina laughs and high fives me, then walks to the fridge and absently pulls out an apple. She munches on it as she looks at the calendar. She pokes it with a finger.
“What’s this charity gala you have written down for tomorrow night? Is Moonlight going back to charity work?”
I shrug. “I’ve already done a little altruistic money moving like
I used to,” I say. “But no. There’s an internationally renowned psychiatrist who’s going to be there. I want to meet him and see if
he can help my mom.”
“Oh,” Zina says, her face going serious. “You want a date?”
“Yeah, I actually would like some company,” I say.
Even though I said the words calmly, I’m a mess of nerves inside. I’d love Zina to be there.
I’ve done my research on this guy, and he might actually be able to cure whatever is wrong with my mother.
I haven’t hoped for her to get all the way better in a long time. But
now…
*****
Chapter 46
20 min leff
The next day goes by quickly, and it’s time to head to the gala
before I know it.
I didn’t take anything I owned from Cassian’s place, but I’m still on good terms with some of the servants.
I ask one to bring me the diamond necklace “he” gave me for my birthday the second year we were together.
In reality, a delivery driver gave it to me and said it was from Cassian. Later, I found out it was from Grandpa Donovan.
Cassian hadn’t remembered my birthday at all.
I feel a little bad giving away one of Grandpa’s gifts, but that same year he gave me a gorgeous leather–bound version of a series of books I loved from himself.
That gift wasn’t as expensive as the necklace, but it meant so
much more.
At least Grandpa knows me and knows what I like.
Even the fake gift from Cassian–which I was sure Grandpa had even paid for from Cassian’s personal account–was just expensive and bland.
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20 min left
That night, I decide to wear a silk dress in a rich midnight blue that Zina and I picked up at a boutique shop the other day. It’s a lot classier than the sexy red dress I wore to the banquet.
pull my hair back with pearl clips and wear a pearl bracelet. I wear a gold necklace that features a deep blue star sapphire
pendant.
I’ve just entered the gala and donated the diamond necklace when I see Jace walk in. He comes right over to me.
“Jace!” I say in surprise. “I didn’t know you came to this kind of
thing.”
He gives me a crooked smile that’s extremely charming on his handsome face. “Zina said she isn’t feeling well and asked me to step in for her.”
“Oh! I hope she’s okay.” I worry a little for my friend. She never misses this kind of thing.
We step inside the ballroom where the event is taking place. I take my phone out of my clutch and shoot a text to Zina.
You good?
Yeah, just something I ate. I’ll be fine in the morning. I sent Jace as your bodyguard. Enjoy!
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What’s that supposed to mean?
**) 20 min left
I think you know. The words were followed by a smirk emoji.
My lips twist and I shake my head.
I lock my phone and look up to see Jace quickly looking away from my phone screen. His high cheekbones are tinged with pink.
He must have seen the message.
“Don’t worry about Zina,” I say, sticking my phone back in my clutch. “She says stuff like that all the time.”
He nods but doesn’t say anything.
I link my arm through his and we make a circle of the ballroom, scanning for the doctor.
I don’t see him anywhere because the room is packed. Even a second walk around the room reveals nothing:
After so much walking, my heels are starting to hurt my feet. I lean
on Jace a little and make circles with each ankle.
“You okay?” Jace asks in his quiet voice,
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20 min lett
“Yeah, no worries. I used to practice walking in these things all the time in case Cassian brought me somewhere like this. Not that he
ever did.”
I sigh. “I’m going to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
I don’t even see evil cousin Claire, who is also in attendance, make a b
