chapter 44

EMILY

As I enter the lavish ballroom, my heart hammers against my ribcage.

I'm Emily Jackson tonight, yet the ghost of Rosalie Battaglia haunts me, threatening to reveal itself.

I scan the room nervously, praying that none of my father's allies or foes recognize me—sweat beads on my forehead despite the cool air of the dimly lit room.

"Relax, Emily," Felix murmurs in my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine for all the wrong reasons.

"Don't let them get to you. The wives of these dons may seize you up, but if they come at you with their teeth, just remember, it's because they're jealous that you have an elegance they'll never have."

I nod, trying to steady my racing pulse.

How can I tell him I'm not worried about what he thinks I'm concerned about?

This whole time, pretending to be nervous about the clothes or what people will say has been eating me from within.

I'm just playing hide and seek, waiting for Felix to find the real me.

And the thought petrifies me because I kn