The doors open immediately and every activity in the hall stops. I freeze where I stand and I feel like asking to be shown the exit, but the fear and nervousness clenching in my stomach prevents me from doing so.I swallow to ease my suddenly dry throat and that low, ashy voice floats into my ears in a whisper as he asks, “Do you think they can see us?”I turn sharply to him and hide the light confusion that lines my face. Aside from the blank look in his obsidian eyes, I can see no other indication of anything on his face. I don’t know if he’s trying to be funny or if he’s just mocking me. When the side of his lips quirks up in a smile, I still can’t tell what he means by that. He stretches his hand forward and I leave it hanging instead of taking it.Working for Malachi has taught me not to jump headfirst into situations. If Malachi wants me to set up a meeting with some of the members of his board, I read his body language first and set the meeting based on what I can glean. If h

Malachi’s pov.Antonia stays out the whole night.Anger and annoyance curl in me as I think about it, but I won't let it affect me. She’s bound to think she can be a bit wild and she’s made that clear from her argument with my mother. Antonia is like an insolent teen seeking attention when she’s angry. I won’t give it to her. That’ll only encourage that behavior.The door opens and Skye walks into my room. She slumps onto my bed. I’m silent even as she pants in deep and husky breaths. When she’s done she turns her head on the bed to look at me. A frown lines her pretty, well-formed face and her hair is a curtain of deep ebony locks on my bed. She asks, “You didn’t notice I came in, Malachi?”There’s obvious annoyance and ire in her tone. Most people would be scared of speaking to me that way but I've known Skye forever now, and she’s known me. I responded tightly, “I did.”Skye turns on the bed and she glares at me, not speaking anymore.A while after Antonia left and I refused Skye’

At the cafe.“What’s wrong Antonia?”Bridget sees right through the smile I'm trying to put on. I keep that smile on my face as I pick up the cup of coffee before me and take a sip. I respond calmly with a shrug, “Nothing’s wrong.”Bridget gives me a look that shows she doesn’t believe that, and I didn’t expect her to either. She’s known me as far back as college. She was there when I got married to Malachi and she experienced the whirlwind of emotions that was me being with him. She always told me to leave him, and I always ran to her when Malachi started mistreating me again after I refused. I know she has questions she wants to ask, but she won’t, not before I've told her what’s wrong, and I feel a slight twinge of shame when I finally give in, “It’s something that happened at the mansion Bridget, it’s nothing serious.”She nods understandingly and smirks, responding, “No doubt it has something to do with his royal highness Malachi Finn.”A half-amused smirk forms on my lips too.

Bridget and I conclude breakfast a few minutes before noon. The cafe owners know we’re regulars so no one complains about the amount of time we spend here. Going out now, I feel really good. Way better than I was feeling this morning. Bridget stops in front of my car and gives a wolf whistle. I roll my eyes and ask with an amused smile, “What now?”Bridget responds with a chuckle, “I really believed you were going to keep catching car rides with Malachi forever. Glad to see you have a ride of your own now.”I smile shyly and she waves as she walks over to her car. Our plan is fairly simple.We’ll return to the Starlight Hall.Bridget says she’ll try to ask the patron who informed her of the Moon’s Tears fabric about anyone who is referred to as His Excellency the Senator. Yet we both know that it isn’t a surefire route to go. What if that patron doesn’t give her a solid response, or does not know who that is?Since I seem to have an identity somewhere that grants me access to the St

“Should I call the doctor?”Tieran’s concern is a line on his face and it’s heartwarming, but I shake my head in the negative. A doctor would tell me it's morning sickness and I already know that.Plus, it’s better to think Malachi is the one who made me hurl my guts out. He kissed me with the same mouth he no doubt kisses Skye with! That’s just gross.Tieran’s large warm hand lays comfortingly on my shoulder as he speaks again, “You look like you’re going to be sick, Antonia.”I nod and respond sullenly, “I feel like I'm going to be sick. Why the hell would he do that?”I can’t help the surge of emotions that course through me. I was planning to not talk about this to Tieran at all. It’s bad enough he had to see me like that, but now I feel like I might hurl again if I don't say something.Tieran doesn’t seem to have any response for me and I'm halfway to getting even more annoyed when he responds, his tone dark and heavy, “I told him I'd start a business war if he doesn’t let you go.