We were browsing a boutique Lily had dragged us into—the kind that screamed rebellious rocker-girl energy. Chains, leather, combat boots, and just enough glitter to make you look twice. Lily darted between racks like a kid high on sugar, holding up a pair of ripped black jeans against her hips with a grin that could melt stone.
I was still half-smiling at her antics when my phone buzzed in my hand.
A message.
From Liam Romano.
The first he had ever sent me directly.
I froze.
Savannah peeked over my shoulder, chewing her gum like she had nothing better to do. "Ooh. 'Meet me at your hotel at six. –Liam.' How... chivalrous."
I blinked. "Why would he—what does he want?"
She shrugged, adjusting her halter top in the mirror. "Only one way to find out. Or, you know, you could ghost him and move to Alaska."
* * *
I was nervous.
No—panicking.
I hadn't seen Liam since that chilling dinner with the Romanos. His voice, his eyes, the sharp tension that clung to every word he spoke—it all came rushing back.
I fussed with my hair for the third time, then ran my hands down the tight black jeans Savannah made me buy. Now they felt like a mistake. I looked like someone trying to be bold and falling short.
"You need to stop pacing like a caged cat," Savannah muttered from the couch, flipping through a Vogue like she owned the room.
"I don't think this outfit is a good idea," I murmured, turning toward the mirror again.
Savannah snorted. "It's perfect. Emily, this isn't the 1800s. If you're going to survive the Ice Prince, you need leverage. And in our world, leverage doesn't come in guns or titles—it comes in confidence and curves."
"That's not how I want to win him over."
She laughed without humor. "Win him over? You don't win a man like Liam Romano. You endure him."
A sharp knock cut through the room. We all jumped. My heart lunged into my throat.
I glanced at the clock.
Five forty-three.
"He's early," I whispered, dread curling up my spine. "He wouldn't just show up here, right?"
Lily, dressed in her latest acquisition—faux leather pants and a cropped tee—sprinted toward the door with a grin that made my blood pressure spike.
"Lily—wait!"
Too late.
She threw open the door and leaned casually against the frame, striking a pose she'd definitely practiced in front of the mirror.
"Hi, Liam," she purred.
I darted to her side. Liam Romano stood just beyond the threshold, every inch the cold, unreadable man I remembered. His dark eyes flicked briefly to Lily, puzzled.
Behind him stood Rafael, Gio, and Jace—his ever-present shadows.
"Liliana. The youngest sister," he said, voice flat and dismissive.
Lily pouted. "I'm not that young."
"Yes, you are," I cut in, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "Go back to Savannah."
She blinked, but eventually huffed and retreated.
My pulse thundered in my ears as Liam's gaze found me—and stayed.
He studied me slowly, from my boots to my hips, lingering, then up to my face. When our eyes met, something flickered in his expression.
Heat. Possession.
I stood frozen.
"I didn't expect you to come to the suite," I said stiffly.
"You're not going to invite me in?"
My throat bobbed. I stepped aside.
He walked in, followed by Rafael and Gio. Jace closed the door behind them and remained posted.
My fingers twitched with the urge to reopen it.
Rafael made a beeline for Savannah. "Hey, Red."
She bolted upright like she'd been shocked. "Ugh. Not you."
Lily giggled behind me. "Can I see your gun?"
Rafael grinned wide, but I intercepted. "No. She can't."
Liam said nothing, but I could feel his eyes dragging over me, burning.
Savannah shot me a smug look.
"Told you," she mouthed.
I hated that she was right.
"You shouldn't be alone with them," Savannah muttered. "It's not appropriate."
I gave her a look. "Since when do you care about what's appropriate?"
Liam's voice sliced through the tension. "Where's Salvatore? Isn't he supposed to be guarding this door?"
"Probably smoking. Or pooping," Savannah replied casually.
I forced a brittle smile. "He'll be back."
"Does this happen often?" Liam asked, his voice deceptively quiet. "You being left alone?"
Savannah gasped in mock horror. "Oh no, we sneak out all the time. There's a running bet—who can pick up more boys on Michigan Avenue."
Lily giggled again.
My face burned.
"I want a word with you, Emily," Liam said, his voice low and absolute.
His eyes never left mine.