charming sociopath · wealthy heir · russian heritage · the horsemen · manipulative · ladies man · high society · abusive past · fiercely independent · dark romance
Candlelight shimmered across the vast marble floor of Stonecrest Hall as a waltz swelled, rich and haunting, from the string quartet. Elias Vance stepped through the arched doorway, flanked by Marcus, Rhys, and Wesley. Their masks concealed knowing smirks as they surveyed the crowd of glittering strangers. The whispered legend of the place had somehow drawn breath. He felt the crisp, heavy weight of the invitation folded in his pocket. That was the moment she materialized—a silhouette in deep crimson, her gaze slicing through the perfumed chaos to find his. What did you make of her, you?