Kade's POV
"Your shipment's ready for Thursday," the man beside me said, but I wasn't listening.
I was watching her.
The girl by the wall, clutching a champagne glass like it might protect her from the crowd. She looked terrified. Out of place. Beautiful in a way that had nothing to do with the designer clothes every other woman here wore.
"Kade. You hearing me?"
I tore my eyes away from her to glare at Marcus, my second-in-command. "Thursday. Got it. We done?"
Marcus followed my gaze and smirked. "Seriously? You dragged me to this spoiled brat party to discuss business, and now you're distracted by some girl?"
"She's different." The words came out before I could stop them.
"Different how? She's got two arms, two legs, same as every other female here."
But he was wrong. This girl radiated something the others didn't. Vulnerability mixed with strength. Like she was forcing herself to be brave even though she wanted to run.
I knew that feeling. I'd lived it for years after Mom died and Dad checked out emotionally, leaving me to build my own empire in the shadows.
"I'm going to talk to her," I said.
Marcus grabbed my arm. "Bad idea. You've got the Cross meeting in an hour. Damien doesn't like being kept waiting."
Damien Cross. The name made my jaw clench. The man was a snake—trafficking, murder, corruption. I did business with him because refusing meant war, but I was gathering evidence to take him down. One more meeting, one more recording, and I'd have enough to hand to the feds.
"Then I'll be quick," I said, shaking off Marcus's grip.
I moved through the crowd, keeping my eyes on the girl. She was talking to her friend now—an Asian girl who looked way too excited about something. Then the friend disappeared, and the girl was alone again.
Perfect.
I should've been thinking about business. About Damien. About the careful game I'd been playing for months. Instead, all I could think about was getting closer to her.
She pulled out her phone, frowned at the screen, and declined a call. Family drama, probably. I knew all about that.
When she grabbed a drink from a waiter, her hands shook slightly. Nervous. Scared, even. But of what? The party? The people?
Or was she running from something bigger?
I'd spent ten years learning to read people—it kept me alive in my world. This girl had secrets. Heavy ones. The kind that made you look over your shoulder even when you should be safe.
I knew because I saw myself in her.
Our eyes met across the room, and something electric shot through me. Her breath hitched—I saw it even from here. Those eyes, some color between blue and purple, widened in surprise.
I smiled. Not my business smile. A real one.
She looked away fast, cheeks flushing pink.
Interesting.
"Kade, don't," Marcus warned through my earpiece. I'd forgotten he was still on the line. "We don't have time for this."
I ignored him and started toward her, but someone bumped into me. By the time I looked up, she was heading for the balcony.
Even better. Privacy.
I followed her outside, moving quietly. She stood at the railing, shoulders tight with tension. The city lights reflected off her dark hair. She was muttering something to herself—too quiet to hear, but I caught the word "shadows."
What was she afraid of?
"Running away from the party?" I asked.
She spun around so fast she almost fell. Up close, she was even more stunning. Those unusual eyes, full lips, a face that belonged in art museums. But it was the fear in her expression that caught me.
Why was she so scared?
"I needed air," she said, voice shakier than she probably wanted.
I moved closer, studying her. "You don't belong here."
Her spine straightened. Good. I liked that she had fire. "Excuse me?"
"These parties. They're not for people like you." I meant it as a compliment—she was real, not fake like everyone else—but her eyes flashed with anger.
"People like me? You don't know anything about me."
"I know you've been nursing the same drink all night. I know you're looking for exits instead of enjoying yourself. I know—" I stepped closer, close enough to smell vanilla and something sweeter. "—you've been watching me as much as I've been watching you."
Her face turned red. "You're very sure of yourself."
"I'm observant. And honest. Which is more than I can say for most people here."
She was breathing faster now. Not from fear anymore—something else. Something that made my blood heat.
"If you're so honest, who are you?" she challenged.
I hesitated. Most people knew my name, knew my reputation. But something about her made me want to be careful. "Kade. Kade Thornfield."
Her reaction was instant. The color drained from her face. Her eyes went huge.
"Thornfield?" she whispered.
Warning bells went off in my head. "Yeah. Why? You know the name?"
She knew. Somehow, she knew my name. But how? And why did she look like I'd just told her I was the devil?
"I should go," she said, trying to push past me.
I caught her wrist on instinct. Her skin was soft, warm. A shock ran through my arm at the contact. "Wait. You didn't tell me your name."
"I don't owe you anything." She yanked free, but I saw her shiver. She'd felt it too.
"Fair enough." I smiled, enjoying this game. "But I'm going to find out anyway."
She ran. Actually ran away from me, disappearing into the party.
I stood there, stunned. Women didn't run from me. They usually did the opposite.
My phone buzzed. Dad.
I answered. "What?"
"Kade, son, I have wonderful news." Dad sounded happier than I'd heard him in years. Since Mom died. "Serena and I are ready to move forward. We're blending our families."
My stomach dropped. Dad had been dating some woman named Serena for a few months. I'd avoided meeting her, not interested in whatever mid-life crisis he was having.
"What does that mean?" I asked carefully.
"It means her daughter is moving into the penthouse with us. Tomorrow. I want you to be welcoming, son. Her name is Aria. Aria Sinclair."
The balcony spun.
Aria.
The girl who just ran from me.
The girl whose wrist still burned where I'd touched it.
The girl I couldn't stop thinking about.
Was about to become my stepsister.
"Kade? You still there?"
"Yeah," I managed. "I'm here."
"Good. I know you've been distant lately, but this is important to me. Serena makes me happy. I'm hoping you and Aria can get along. Be a real family."
A real family.
I thought about those violet-blue eyes. That pink flush on her cheeks. The electricity between us.
"Sure, Dad," I lied. "I'm sure we'll get along just fine."
I hung up and stared at the city below. In all my years handling dangerous criminals, navigating the underworld, playing chess with people's lives—nothing had prepared me for this.
The girl I wanted was about to move into my home.
Under my roof.
Off-limits forever.
Marcus's voice crackled in my ear. "Damien's here. You coming or what?"
"Yeah," I said, but my mind was already racing ahead to tomorrow.
To Aria Sinclair walking through my door.
To living with the one person I absolutely couldn't have.
This was going to be a problem.
A big one.