LORETTA

I released a slow shaky breath, my lungs burning from how long I'd been holding it

My fingers tightened around the flute of my champagne glass, staring at the hallway Elion had disappeared into with Harlan Donovan

I watched them go until they disappeared from sight, but even with Elion gone, I couldn't stop replaying what had just happened moments ago.

The way he gripped Harlan's collar, very ready to commit a public felony just because a man asked me to dance,

The irrational anger that I couldn't bring myself to understand

His...possessiveness.

A strange warmth curled low and settled deep in my stomach as if that wasn't enough,...