King of Pride by Ana Huang
Author:Ana Huang [Huang, Ana]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER 21
Kai
The next week passed in a blur of sex, work, and more sex. When I wasnât with Isabella, I was busy putting together my campaign strategy. It was a necessary evil, but other than sending personalized Christmas gifts to the voting members, I didnât have to implement it until after New Yearâs. Everyone was too checked out during the holidays.
I did, however, have to fulfill other social obligations. As much as I wouldâve liked to spend all my free time with Isabella, the illicit nature of our relationship meant I couldnât take her to any of the functions I was invited to, including the Saxon Galleryâs big winter exhibition.
I accepted a welcome glass of champagne from the hostess and scanned the exhibition. Usually, the gallery catered to the downtown crowd, but the big names at its winter showcase had pulled in quite a few uptown and international VIPs. I spotted Dante and Vivian walking hand in hand through the exhibit. The supermodel Ayana floated through the room in an ethereal wash of red tulle while Sebastian Laurent held court in the corner.
Even Vuk Markovic made one of his once-in-a-blue-moon appearances, though he didnât appear inclined to interact with anyone. He stood in the corner, his wintry eyes dissecting the other guests like a scientist examining bugs beneath a microscope.
âKai, Iâm so glad you could make it.â Clarissa appeared next to me, looking elegant but a touch frazzled in a black cocktail dress and headset. She was the galleryâs director of artist relations, and I wouldâve skipped the event altogether had she not invited me personally. I hadnât seen her since the fall gala, but I felt guilty enough about leading her on that night that Iâd accepted.
âOf course. The exhibition looks great,â I said. âYou and the rest of the team did a wonderful job.â
We made small talk for a while before an awkward silence descended between us.
Our conversations were never as comfortable or thrilling as those with Isabella, but weâd talked easily enough at the gala. However, Clarissa appeared distracted tonight, like her mind was floating a thousand miles from her body.
âI canât chat too long. I have to make sure the artists have everything they need. Creative types can be quite temperamental.â She smiled, but there was a strange note in her voice. Her gaze roved around the gallery like she was searching for someone before it settled on mine again. A curious resolve hardened her features. âWe should get drinks sometime soon. I still owe you a rain check for leaving the Valhalla gala early.â
âHappy to,â I said, though I felt a bit uneasy about agreeing to what she probably thought was a date when I was involved with Isabella. âLet me know when youâre free.â
After she left, still with that distracted expression stamped on her face, I cut a diagonal path toward Dante and Vivian. I only made it halfway before someone bumped into me and nearly knocked the drink from my hand.
âIâm so sorry!â A familiar voice yanked my gaze to my right.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Salvatore: a Dark Mafia Romance by Natasha Knight(5202)
Alpha Geek by Milly Taiden(3541)
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory(3158)
Jilted by Eve Vaughn(2782)
Bound by the Sultan's Baby(2497)
Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai(2479)
Falling Hard by Jae(2467)
The Desert King's Blackmailed Bride by Lynne Graham(2388)
The Fairy Queen (The Dark Queens Book 6) by Jovee Winters(2348)
Dungari Reclaim: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Alien Alphas of Pilathna #2) by Nikki Landis(2168)
Little Secrets--Unexpectedly Pregnant by Joss Wood(2123)
Lady Luck by Kristen Ashley(2077)
Sinner by Sierra Simone(2072)
Quade's Babies by Brenda Jackson(2069)
Sal Gabrini 3: Hard Love by Mallory Monroe(2056)
Dirty by R.L. Kenderson(2047)
The Irish Don's Black Beauty: Part Two by Rose Marie(1974)
Accepting His Name by Tressie Lockwood(1965)
Twisted Minds by Keta Kendric(1955)