Chapter 53: Emmet

The crystal chandeliers in the main ballroom are turning off one by one, leaving only the low amber wall sconces lit. Down on the parquet floor, the catering staff are stacking empty champagne flutes into plastic crates and rolling the linen-covered tables toward the service elevators.

I unbutton the top two buttons of my tuxedo shirt and loosen the black silk bow tie, letting it hang loose around my collar.

Anastasia stands next to me by the base of the grand staircase, her fingers trailing along the polished wooden balustrade. The midnight-blue velvet gown looks darker now under the dimming lights, the straight lines of the skirt...