EMBER’S POV
“We’ll consider it,” Knox says, and his voice is smooth as glass. Perfectly unreadable. “Thank you for the invitation.”
“My pleasure.” Rafael inclines his head. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
He melts back into the crowd, leaving destruction in his wake.
Knox doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t even look at me as he releases my hand and moves toward the bar with a measured stride that tells me exactly how not-fine this is.
I follow, my heart sinking with every step.
“Knox—”
“Not here.” His voice is quiet but firm. “Not in front of everyone.”
He orders a whiskey. Neat. Drinks half of it in one swallow.
I stand beside him, watching the tension coil through his shoulders, trying to find the right words.
“I was going to tell you,” I say softly.
“When?”
“Tonight. After t
