The room was filled with the 1% of the 1%. Men in tuxedos, women in couture gowns. Julian Thorne entered with Chloe on his arm. He looked regal.
He moved through the crowd, shaking hands, flashing his white teeth, pretending he wasn't technically insolvent. Julian, a voice called out. It was a competitor, an older man named Sterling. Julian stiffened.
He hated Marcus Sterling. Sterling was the old guard, moralistic, boring, and rich. Marcus. Julian nodded curtly.
Enjoying the party immensely? Marcus smiled. I heard you're closing the Kensington deal. Bold move.
Fortune favors the bold. Julian said aggressively. Something you forgot years ago. Marcus.
Perhaps. Marcus chuckled. By the way, have you met my new partner? She runs our special situations fund, Vanguard Shadow.
Julian's heart skipped a beat. This was it. The lenders. I haven't, Julian said, straightening up.
I'm looking forward to doing business with her. She's right over there. Marcus gestured toward the balcony doors. She's been dying to talk to you.
She says you've met before. Julian frowned. Met before? He walked toward the balcony.
The air was cooler here. A woman was standing with her back to him, looking out at the night sky. She was wearing a backless emerald green gown that shimmered like liquid money. Her hair was pinned up in an intricate, elegant style.
Ms. Julian started putting on his charm. I'm Julian Thorne. I believe we have a deal to discuss. The woman turned around slowly.
Julian stopped. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. It was her, but it wasn't her. The face was the same.
The high cheekbones, the dark, intelligent eyes, but the waitress from The Obsidian was gone. In her place was a queen. She radiated power. The diamonds at her throat caught the light, and her posture was one of absolute command.
"Hello, Julian," Elena said. Her voice was smooth cultured and devoid of the subservience she had feigned the night before. "Elena," Julian choked out. He looked around, checking if this was a joke.
"What are you doing here? How did you get in? Did you sneak in to beg for your job back?" He laughed nervously. "Security?
I need security." "Lower your voice," Elena said. She didn't shout, but the command was so absolute that Julian's mouth snapped shut. "You're not speaking to a waitress tonight, Julian. You're speaking to the managing partner of Vanguard Shadow." Julian stared at her.
His brain couldn't compute it. You You're the lender. I am. Elena stepped closer, the heels of her Louboutins clicking on the stone floor.