Chapter 372
Chapter 372:
“Lucian,” Dominic stood up. “What is she doing here p>
“She’s my guest, Dominic. Sit down,” Graves ordered.
Dominic sat. Like a dog.
Graves led her to a private booth. He signaled a waiter. “Two vodkas. Neat p>
“I don’t drink,” Skye said.
“Tonight you do,” Graves said. The charm was slipping. The predator was peeking through.
The drinks arrived. Graves pushed one toward her.
“Drink,” he said. “To new beginnings p>
Skye looked at the glass. Was it drugged? Probably.
“I insist,” Graves said, his voice hardening.
She reached for the glass. Her hand brushed her bolero. She opened it slightly, revealing the silver Thorne pin fastened to the lining.
Graves saw it. His eyes narrowed.
“Silas gave you that?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave.
“We had lunch yesterday,” Skye said calmly. “He makes excellent pasta p>
Graves sat back. He looked at the pin, then at her. He laughed—a genuine, chilling laugh.
“Well played, Ms. Sterling. Well played. You have the old wolf’s protection. Which means I can’t kill you. Yet p>
“And you can’t drug me,” Skye said, pushing the glass away.
“No,” Graves agreed. “That would be… impolite. To Silas p>
He leaned forward. “But protection expires, Skye. And when it does… I will be waiting p>
“I’m counting on it,” Skye said.
She stood. “Thanks for the drink. I think I’ll rejoin the party p>
Skye walked out. Her legs were shaking.
She had played the trump card, but now he knew she was a player.
And players got targeted.
Skye didn’t leave the hotel immediately. She needed to compose herself. She went to the ladies’ room on the mezzanine level.
𝖱𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝗈𝘯 аո𝗒 𝖽ev𝘪ce 𝗈n 𝗯e.с𝘰m
It was empty—except for a young woman crying near the sinks. She was blonde, wearing a cheap dress that tried too hard to look expensive. It was the girl Dominic had been sitting with. The terrified one.
“Are you okay?” Skye asked, washing her hands.
The girl looked up, mascara running down her cheeks. “He… he wants me to go upstairs. To the penthouse p>
“Who p>
“Mr. Graves. He said… he said if I don’t go, he’ll ruin my career before it starts p>
Skye froze. Graves had moved on to the next target immediately.
“Don’t go,” Skye said firmly. “Leave. Now. Go out the back exit p>
“I can’t!” she sobbed. “Dominic has my passport. They… they own me p>
The door opened.
A man walked in. It was one of Graves’ guards. He didn’t care that it was the ladies’ room.
“Time’s up, Daphne,” the guard said, grabbing her arm.
“No!” Daphne screamed, clinging to the sink.
“Let her go,” Skye said, stepping forward. Her hand hovered near her clutch.
The guard looked at her. He recognized her. He saw the Thorne pin, now on her lapel.
“This doesn’t concern you, Ms. Sterling,” he sneered. “Mr. Graves wants entertainment. Since you declined, she’s the understudy p>