Evelyn stood in front of the full-length mirror in the guest suite, staring at a woman she didn't recognize. The emerald silk dress was beautiful, but it felt like a costume. It was tight around her ribs, making every breath feel shallow, and the slit up the side was higher than anything she had ever worn. She fumbled with the clasp of the heavy diamond necklace Xander had sent up, her fingers feeling clumsy.
A knock at the door made her turn. Xander walked in, already dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo. He stopped in the middle of the room, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.
"You're struggling with the necklace," he said. It wasn't a question.
"It's a bit complicated," Evelyn admitted, dropping her hands. "And the dress is… a lot."
Xander walked over and stood behind her. His reflection appeared in the mirror, taller and broader than her. He took the ends of the necklace from her, his cool fingers brushing against the skin of her neck. Evelyn held her breath.
"You need to look at the part tonight," he said quietly as he clicked the clasp into place. "The people at this gala aren't just there for the charity. They're there to see if I'm weak. There's a group on my board, led by a woman named Julianne Vane. She's been trying to push me out for months. She thinks the scandal with Mia is her golden ticket."
"Is that why I'm here? To show them you've moved on?"
"To show them I'm in control," Xander corrected. He moved to her side and looked her in the eye. "People will say things to you. They'll try to get a reaction. They'll ask about your past, your family, how you met me. Just smile and tell them you're happy. Don't give them anything else."
The car ride to the hotel was a blur of flashing lights and shouting photographers. When the door opened, the noise was deafening. Xander stepped out first, then reached back to take her hand. His grip was firm, grounding her as they walked the red carpet.
Inside, the ballroom was a sea of black ties and sparkling gowns. The air smelled of expensive perfume and lilies. A waiter immediately offered them champagne. Evelyn took a glass, mostly just to have something to do with her hands.
"Xander! There you are," a sharp voice called out.
A woman in a structured silver gown approached them. She had short, blonde hair and a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Julianne," Xander said, his voice turning icy. "I assume you've met my assistant, Evelyn Hart."
Julianne turned her gaze to Evelyn, her eyes raking over the dress. "Assistant? Is that what we're calling it now? You've certainly upgraded from the last one. Mia was so… plain, wasn't she?"
Evelyn felt a surge of anger, but she remembered Xander's warning. She forced a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Vane."
"Is it? We'll see," Julianne said, leaning in closer. "Tell me, Evelyn, how long do you plan on staying? The turnover rate in Xander's office is becoming a bit of a concern for the shareholders."
"Evelyn is quite happy where she is," Xander intervened, his hand moving to the small of Evelyn's back. "If you'll excuse us, Julianne, we have people to see."
As they moved away, Evelyn whispered, "She's lovely."
"She's a shark," Xander replied. "Stay here. I need to speak with the Minister of Finance. Don't wander off."
Evelyn watched him walk away. She waited a few minutes, pretending to sip her drink, before slipping toward the back of the room. She needed a moment away from the noise. She found a quiet hallway near the service entrance and leaned against the wall, closing her eyes.
"I didn't realize the assignment required you to look like a billionaire's mistress, Evie."
Evelyn's eyes snapped open. Ryan was standing a few feet away, dressed in a black security uniform. He looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes.
"Ryan," she breathed. "You scared me."
"You look… different," he said, stepping into the light. He gestured at her dress. "Like you're enjoying the view from the top a little too much. Is this what it takes to make you forget the case? A few diamonds?"
The insult hit her like a physical blow. Before she could think, her hand swung out and connected with his cheek. The slap echoed in the narrow hallway.
Ryan's head snapped to the side. Silence fell between them. Evelyn's palm stung, and she felt a wave of regret, but she didn't apologize.
"Don't you ever say that to me," she hissed. "I'm in that house every day risking everything while you sit out here and judge me."
Ryan slowly lowered his head. He looked devastated. "I'm sorry. God, Evie, I'm sorry. I'm just losing my mind with you in that house. I can't sleep knowing you're there with him. Please, forgive me."
Evelyn sighed, her anger fading into exhaustion. "It's fine. Just don't do it again."
"Did you find anything?" he asked, his voice returning to a professional whisper.
"I found a receipt," she said, looking around to make sure they were alone. "Mia was at a pharmacy near the Yard the day she vanished. It's called St. Jude's. I need to get there, but Xander has me on lockdown. I can't even leave the penthouse without Victor."
Ryan nodded, looking back into partner mode. "I know that place. It's been flagged before. They sell high-end, illegal prenatal vitamins and black-market medical supplies. If Mia was there, she was trying to hide a medical condition. Maybe something the company didn't know about."
"I'll try to find more notes in the house," Evelyn said. "I have to go before he misses me."
"Be careful," Ryan said. "And Evie? I'll look into the pharmacy records tonight."
Evelyn hurried back to the ballroom. She found Xander exactly where she had left him. He looked her over, his eyes lingering on her reddened palm, but he didn't ask. He just took her arm and pulled her close.
A waiter approached and handed Xander a small, folded note. Xander opened it, his jaw tightening as he read the words. His entire demeanor changed in an instant.
"We're leaving. Now," he whispered.
"What? Why? The dinner hasn't even started."
"The board just called an emergency meeting at my office," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Someone just leaked the internal audit for the last quarter. Everything is falling apart, Evelyn."
As they hurried toward the exit, Evelyn felt a chill. Ryan had just asked her what her next move was, and now Xander's company was under attack. She looked back at the ballroom, wondering if the person hunting them was still in the room