My father's voice echoed through the hall. "Hailey! Why aren't you dressed? You have appointments today!"
I groaned, rubbing my temple. "Appointments for what? My funeral?"
He appeared at the bottom of the staircase, sharp in his suit even though it was just noon. His face was red already. "For your dress fitting, makeup testing, jewelry consultations-.."
I cut him off. "You make it sound like I'm marrying the president."
He glared. "You're marrying a Blackwood. That's higher."
I made a face. "Yay, lucky me."
"Hailey!" he barked, but I was already walking back to my room, pretending not to hear.
When I got inside, I slammed the door and flopped onto the bed. Every inch of my room smelled like roses now because the maids thought it was "fitting for the occasion." I hated roses. They looked pretty but had thorns just like this stupid life.
My phone buzzed. Lila: You alive or buried under wedding cake samples yet?
I smirked, typing back. Barely breathing. Save me before I choke on fake happiness.
Two seconds later, another message popped up Dorian: Heard you're getting chained for life, Princess. Want to rebel before you lose your freedom?
I smiled for real this time. Dorian Crest, my childhood best friend, world-class flirt, and certified troublemaker. His family was as rich as mine, but unlike me, he actually liked it. His father owned half the oil business in the country. Dorian grew up spoiled but charming enough to get away with everything.
And then there was Lila, my opposite. Her family ran a small bakery downtown, and she'd been working since she was twelve. She was fierce, stubborn, and the only person who could call me out without caring who my father was.
The three of us met in kindergarten. Dorian had been the boy who threw paint at me, and Lila had helped me throw it back. We've been a mess ever since.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Perfect hair. Designer pajamas. Empty eyes. "Screw this," I muttered and grabbed my jacket and a pair of heels.
I sneaked out through the back garden gate like a thief, dodging decorators and guards. By the time I reached the main road, Dorian's car was already waiting, sleek black and loud as hell.
He rolled the window down. "Well, look who escaped the royal castle," he said with that lazy grin that had made every girl in school melt.
"Drive," I said, sliding in.
Lila was in the backseat, chewing gum and looking unimpressed. "You're late, Bridezilla."
"Sorry, I had to dodge a firing squad," I replied.
Dorian laughed, one hand on the wheel. "So where are we going, my rebellious queen?"
"Anywhere with noise," I said. "I want to forget everything."
"Club V." Dorian smirked. "Perfect noise."
Lila groaned. "Do we have to? I'm wearing sneakers."
"You'll survive," I said, already pulling down the car mirror to fix my lipstick.
The club was chaos and glitter. Lights flashed, bass shook the floor, and the smell of alcohol clung to the air. The second I stepped in, the world outside vanished.
Dorian ordered drinks immediately, tossing his card to the bartender like he owned the place. "To Hailey," he toasted, "soon to be Mrs. Blackwood, the woman too hot for hell."
I laughed, clinking my glass against his. "Cheers to bad decisions."
We danced, we laughed. For the first time in weeks, I felt something close to freedom. Lila swayed beside me, hair sticking to her forehead, her laughter bright and wild.
I felt a prickling on my skin. Like someone was watching me.
I turned, scanning the crowd.
And there he was.
Santino Blackwood.
He sat in the VIP section above us, dressed in black, a glass of wine in one hand. His sleeves rolled up, showing strong forearms and black ink, his hair slightly tousled. Even in the dim light, his eyes burned like storm clouds. Cold, sharp, unreadable.
For a moment, my heart stopped.
He wasn't supposed to be here.
Of course, Santino always did what he wanted.
"Shit," I muttered.
Dorian followed my gaze. "Well, well... if it isn't your future husband watching you like a hawk."
"Don't," I warned.
He smirked. "Oh, I'm definitely going to make him jealous."
Before I could stop him, his arm slid around my waist, pulling me close. My back hit his chest. The smell of his cologne mixed with the heat of the dance floor. He leaned down, lips brushing my ear. "Relax, princess. Just giving your man something to think about."
My pulse jumped. Not because of Dorian but because I could feel Santino's gaze like fire.
From the corner of my eye, I saw one of his men start to descend the stairs toward us. Big guy, serious face, the kind who could break a neck with one hand.
I smiled sweetly. "Here comes the fun police."
The man stopped in front of me, voice low. "Miss Carter, Mr. Blackwood would like you to return home immediately."
"Oh?" I said, pretending to think. I leaned forward, brushing my fingers over his collar, my lips close enough that he tensed. "Tell Mr. Blackwood..." I whispered, "to go fuck himself."
And I smiled right at Santino and a man sitting beside him chuckled.
The man froze, eyes wide, not sure if he was supposed to drag me out or drop dead.
Dorian chuckled behind me, tightening his hold like he was staking a claim. "Message delivered, I hope."
Up on the balcony, Santino didn't move as the guy relayed the message. He just stared at me as the man beside him laughed louder and gave me a little wave. Santino's face was calm but eyes dark, darker than I'd ever seen.
Lila, who'd gone to get another drink, returned and froze when she saw the scene. "Oh my God, what did you do now?"
"Nothing," I said innocently.
Dorian snorted. "She just declared war on the devil himself."
Lila grabbed my wrist. "Then we're leaving before he decides to burn the place down!"
"Aw, come on!"
"No," she hissed, dragging both me and Dorian toward the exit. "You two idiots can flirt with danger later. We're going for ice cream."
Outside, the cool air hit my skin like water. The night was quiet compared to the club's chaos. Dorian parked near a small roadside café that glowed with yellow lights.
We sat on the hood of his car, each holding a cone. Lila licked hers like it was the last bit of peace in the world. "You know," she said, "I think your fiancé is secretly Satan."
"Pretty sure Satan has better hair," Dorian said.
I laughed, the sound was shaky but real. "He probably hates me more now."
Dorian tilted his head, watching me. "Then make him hate you so much he falls in love. Works every time."
I rolled my eyes. "You're an idiot."
"An attractive one," he said with a grin.
Lila groaned. "You two are impossible."
For a while, we sat there in silence, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. I felt almost normal almost like the girl I used to be before all the contracts and deals and fake smiles.
But somewhere deep down, I knew tonight wasn't over.
Santino Blackwood wasn't the kind of man to be disobeyed, not publicly, not like that. And I had just embarrassed him in front of a crowd.
I could still see the way his eyes burned into me before I left. cold, calculating, dangerous.
He would come for me.
And for some strange, terrifying reason...
a part of me wanted him to.
