C3 CHAPTER THREE

SAID desperately. Philian ’s grin was now ear to ear.

To friends!” Armris started to toast again, but the hand that held the full glass was still around Nikki ’s neck.

Ophelia grabbed the tipsy designer, and helped untangle him. “Gods, Armris, watch her dress.”

Nikki was almost free when Armris caught her arm.

“Do you like the dress?” he asked. “It’s one of my creations.”

“I actually need to go fix it real quick,” Nikki stammered, tugging at Armris ’s grip. She’d officially reached maximum stimulus overload. She needed a breath.

“Stop, it looks perfect,” Armris scolded.

“Very lovely. You’re like a mermaid.” Philian smiled down at her.

Nikki glanced down. The blue sheath was strapless, hugging her sleek form until her waist, where it shimmered into turquoise and then down into a sea-foam green train.

“Turn around,” Ophelia requested and Armris ’s hand pulled her into a spin that Nikki had no choice but to continue.

Of course, as soon as she twirled, her gaze swept over the crowded party, and Nikki looked straight into the eyes of her husband, Mario Udall.

Like in the movies, it felt like everything around them muted and became hazy. Eight weeks hadn’t changed much—for him anyway. Mario wore his signature suit. Everything about him spoke of power, from the set of his broad shoulders to his piercing gaze. He stood in a crowd and rose above it, a man among boys.

He stood a little inside the doorway, flanked by two men dressed all in black. Shades, they were called on the street.

One glance, and Nikki stopped mid-twirl, letting her dress continue without her. She stared at her husband, the sight of him hitting her with earth-tilting force. His eyes locked with hers and there was a fire burning in their depths. Searing her to the core.

With time and space, she had convinced herself that she’d imagined the potency of his effect on her. Surely she’d exaggerated how, with a look, he could pin her in place and have her begging.

A half whirl later and she had her back to him, but no relief. She knew his eyes were on her and she could all but feel the ghost of his hands on her body.

More than that, a million other memories were flooding in. Him holding her at night, his body spooned behind hers. Him finally saying the words that she had waited so long to hear, whispering over and over that he loved her.

And that last night before she’d left him. The terrifying sight of him letting the leash off of his control and watching him brutally bash a man’s head in. Over and over and over again, even after the man was dead. Mario hadn’t known she was there, hiding in the shadows, but she’d seen. She’d seen and she’d never forget.

Nikki stumbled backwards. “I have to go.”

Ophelia frowned and Armris ’s head whipped around. They both realized the cause of her panic at the same time. For the past two months, Nikki had been Ophelia ’s roommate, and Armris was a frequent visitor to their tiny loft. They’d listened to her rant, hugged her when she cried, and plied her with ice cream when she moped around for days. She’d never told them the extent of it, though. She’d never told a soul about that last night and she never would.

“Oh darling—” Armris began, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed convulsively.

Ophelia was more blunt. “Go.”

Philian Rivers straightened to his considerable height. His eyes narrowed and Nikki froze at the mask of hate that settled over his regal features.

Nikki didn’t want to know the reasons why the man in white despised her husband. Mario ’s whole world was filled with darkness and vendetta. She wanted nothing to do with any of it. And she certainly had no interest in confronting Mario tonight.

Lifting her dress so she wouldn’t trip on the mini-train, Nikki fled. Damn it, why had she let Armris talk her into wearing these five-inch heels? She couldn’t go too quickly or she break her neck

"I'm sorry"Armris caught up with her, sounding sober again.

“You told me he wouldn’t be here,” she said through gritted teeth.

“I know,” Armris sighed, and she almost stumbled.

He steadied her, then held her back as she snapped at him. “You knew? You knew he was coming, and you told me…”

“Look, I didn’t know he was actually going to show up. I may have let it slip that you were working on this event with me. I didn’t invite him.”

“You dangled me like bait in front of him! That’s an open invitation to a man like him.”

She glanced back, and, sure enough, Mario was on his way towards the ballroom, moving closer to them. People seemed to magically clear out of his way. Shit.

“It’s been two months, Nikki Bell. Don’t you think you should at least talk to him?”

“I have talked to him.” Okay, she’d texted. She couldn’t bear to hear his voice, although she’d saved his voicemails.

“I mean face to face.” Armris sighed again. Nikki felt a twinge of guilt. Her friends hadn’t been anything but supportive, although they did point out, gently, that talking to her husband might be a teensy bit better than just ranting behind his back.

They didn’t understand, though. And they never would because she’d never tell them about that night.

Keeping busy was the only alternative to curling up in the fetal position underneath her bedspread. Over and over, waking and sleeping, she heard the BANG of BJ’s gun going off and the endless images assaulted her—the blood, those brief moments between life and death