Chapter 2

Three Years Later

The rooftop bar glittered forty floors above Manhattan, filled with billionaires, politicians, and predators in designer suits. I moved through them like smoke—visible but untouchable.

I wasn't Neve anymore.

I was Elise Vaughn. Self-made tech entrepreneur. Forbes 30 Under 30. The woman who'd built a security empire from nothing in three years.

At least, that's what the world believed.

The truth? My father had welcomed me back into the Caravello fold the night I fled. He'd given me resources, connections, protection—everything I needed to rebuild myself while raising my twins in secret.

Leo and Lily. Three years old now. My entire world.

Cassian Corsetti had no idea they existed. No idea I existed.

Until tonight.

"Ms. Vaughn." A server approached with champagne. "Mr. Corsetti requests the pleasure of your company in the VIP section."

My blood turned to ice.

I hadn't seen him in three years. Hadn't let myself look at photographs, read articles, acknowledge his existence. I'd buried Neve Corsetti so deep I sometimes forgot she ever existed.

But here he was. In my city. At my event.

Requesting me.

"Tell Mr. Corsetti," I said smoothly, "that I don't take meetings without appointments."

The server's eyes widened. No one refused Cassian Corsetti.

I did.

I turned away, heart pounding beneath my composed exterior, and walked toward the bar. I needed a moment. Just one moment to—

"You look exactly like someone I used to know."

His voice. That voice. Right behind me.

I turned slowly, letting none of my emotions show.

Cassian Corsetti stood there—older, harder, more dangerous than I remembered. His dark eyes swept over me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

"I'm sorry," I said coolly. "Have we met?"

His jaw tightened. "No. But I intend to change that."

He didn't recognize me.

Three years, a new name, a new hair color, a new everything—and he looked right through the woman he'd once vowed to destroy.

"I'm not interested," I said.

Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise. Intrigue. The thrill of the hunt.

"Everyone's interested in something, Ms. Vaughn." He stepped closer. "I just need to find out what."

My phone buzzed. A text from my nanny: Lily's asking for you. Nightmare.

My heart clenched.

"Excuse me," I said. "Family emergency."

I walked away without looking back.

But I felt his eyes follow me all the way to the elevator.