DYLAN
I don't take women to parties.
Not to this kind of party.
Not to a Billionaire Boys Club party — where secrets are spilled in scotch, deals are made over cigars, and loyalty is the only currency more valuable than money.
But tonight, I walk in with Hermione Isabelle Vale on my arm — and the room practically screeches to a halt.
"Holy sh—" Cassian spins around from the bar, jaw slacked, eyes wide. "Is that her?"
"Yup," I say smoothly, pressing my hand to the small of her back. "Gentlemen, meet the reason I haven't returned your calls, ignored every text, and smiled like an idiot at board meetings."
Kainalu whistles low. "She is dangerous."
Hermione arches a brow, all warm caramel and sharp lawyer wit. "Dangerous? I'm a lawyer, not a landmine."
Ronan lifts his glass with a smirk. "Same thing, sweetheart. One wrong step and boom — hearts in shambles, assets frozen."
"Mine's already frozen," I mutter under my breath.
She elbows me gently in the ribs, and I catch her wrist before she can pull away, bringing it to my lips. "Told you they'd love you."
Siddharth, ever the dramatist, raises his champagne flute. "To Dylan's downfall."
"To Dylan's delight," I correct, grinning like a madman. "She's not my downfall. She's the love of my life."
Hermione chokes on her drink. "You're unbelievable."
"Facts," I say, leaning closer. "Want me to say it louder?"
The boys absolutely lose it.
Cassian stumbles back into the bar. "Someone sedate him. This man said love."
"Call the tabloids," Ronan laughs. "Voss finally grew a heart."
"She's a Pisces," Daniel deadpans. "That explains it. Emotional sorcery."
"She told me you're the Pisces," Hermione fires back, sipping her drink like she just won a court case.
Siddharth gasps dramatically. "Betrayal!"
"I like her," Kainalu grins. "She's got claws."
"She's got everything," I say, unapologetically. "Brains. Fire. That look she gives me when she's about to kiss me or kill me."
Hermione smirks. "You never know which it'll be."
I lean in, barely brushing her lips with mine — a whisper of a kiss, teasing.
"You love the suspense."
She hums, lips brushing mine in return. "I love watching you squirm."
"Oh, we're squirming, alright," Cassian mutters. "This is so uncomfortable."
Ronan groans. "Get a room."
"Get a chapel," Daniel says, pretending to wipe a tear. "I want to be the flower girl."
"I'll be the ring bearer," Kainalu adds.
Hermione chuckles, tilting her head toward me. "Are your friends always this dramatic?"
"Only when they're jealous," I murmur, stealing another kiss — this one deeper, enough to make her eyes flutter and her fingers curl into my lapel.
Her cheeks flush, but she doesn't pull away. "You're pushing your luck, Voss."
"I like living on the edge," I whisper. "Especially when the edge is you."
She laughs — soft and real and glowing — and that sound is the most expensive thing in this room.
"Vale," Daniel says, crossing his arms, "how'd he convince you to show up with him?"
Hermione grins. "He made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
Cassian snorts. "A legally binding bribe?"
"An emotional threat," she teases. "I say no, and he stares at me like a kicked puppy. It's very manipulative."
"Hey," I protested. "I only do that when you wear that silk dress I like."
She smiles slowly. "You mean this one?"
"Damn it," I mutter, pulling her flush against me as the boys erupt into teasing groans again.
"To Dylan Voss," Siddharth declares with a toast, "finally conquered by a goddess in heels."
We all raise our glasses — well, all but me.
My hands are too full of Hermione.
And honestly?
I wouldn't have it any other way.