The clock in the suite struck half past eleven, its steady chime slicing through the silence. Aurora Sage sat at the edge of the bed, her velvet gown discarded on the floor, replaced by a fitted black dress slit high enough for her blades to be hidden beneath. Every detail of her appearance was deliberate: lipstick dark, hair pulled back to reveal the stark lines of her face, eyes sharp enough to cut glass.
Logan Mason leaned against the dresser, fastening the cufflinks of his tuxedo with more care than usual. He was still an actor, but tonight, the stage was different. Tonight, his audience was the most dangerous man in Europe.
Neither of them had spoken for several minutes. Silence wasn't unusual between them, but this one was heavy, thick with the weight of unspoken thoughts.
Logan broke it first.
"You don't actually plan on killing him in the room, do you?" His tone was casual, but his jaw was tight.
Aurora looked up slowly. "Do you trust me?"
