Page 21 of Stormhold

Arkane stood on the threshold, wearing a three-piece black vintage suit with pleated wide-leg trousers that made him look like he stepped out of a 1920s party. His thick raven hair was styled back with gel, with only a strand of it falling over his forehead. The unfamiliar feeling in my heart returned at the sight of him. No one was allowed to be this gorgeous.

“Bella,” he said, with a glint in his eyes as he took me in. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I said softly as I let him in.

“We’ll be arriving in a couple of minutes and will take a boat directly to the event,” he said, folding his arms as he leaned over the window. “There will be a checkpoint for all the guests, so you can’t carry anything harmful.”

I nodded, knowing that was the case. I didn’t like going anywhere without my knives, but I was trained to handle any situation.

“But you are?” I asked, noting how he said you instead of we.

“Yes, I’ve permission,” he answered. “I unfortunately can’t ask the same for you because you’ll be posing as my date.”

“That’s okay. I don’t need weapons to kill,” I said flatly.

A wide smile split his lips, and the unfamiliar feeling in my heart intensified. “I would’ve never guessed,” he jested.

I almost rolled my eyes, but instead, I gave him a firm look. “Can we please get back to the important details?”

“Fine,” he muttered. “We have the advantage of catching Harvey Walters off guard, but other than that, we have no idea what to expect tonight. Three of the five families’ heads are said to be in attendance, so anything is possible,” Arkane explained in a serious tone. “We test the waters with Harvey first before proceeding with anything. The Covent knows we’re onto them, but we shouldn’t let them know the extent of our knowledge and play dumb. So be cautious.”

I nodded. He was right. It was better to be smart and patient than stupid. In this world, being stupid could cost your life.

“Good.” He unfolded his hands as he took slow steps toward me. His eyes were on me the entire time. “You’re never to leave my side tonight,” he said, coming to a stop just a breath away from me. I could feel my cheeks heating despite my resolve.

“Okay,” I agreed again. In a room full of sharks, I’d be better off with the great white by my side. Just then, the yacht swayed to a halt. From the dark waters out the window, I could tell we were close to the island.

“One more thing,” he said, retrieving a deep blue box from his pocket. “Wear this.”

My eyes widened a bit as I took in the briolette-cut diamond drop earrings dangling from delicate gold chains.

“I can’t possibly,” I said, still staring at the brilliance of the stone. It was stunning. “It must cost a fortune.”

“Not for me,” he replied, and before I could say another word, he tugged them out of the box and handed them to me. “My date cannot possibly be seen at a diamond auction wearing no jewelry.”

I nodded.

With great care, I secured the earrings, and they were surprisingly light, given their size. Even in the dull cabin lights, the diamond sparkled against my long ink-black hair.

“Only more beautiful,” Arkane said just as our eyes met in the mirror, and for a moment, we got lost in each other. The look in his eyes was one that I couldn’t decipher.

But he broke it off by clearing his throat, and I quickly averted my gaze as the heat in my cheeks started to burn.

I could feel him smiling at me as I slowly turned around.

“Are you ready, then, Ms. Esteal?” he asked, holding out his hand.

“Yes.” I smiled, taking his hand.

CHAPTER 9

BELLE

Soon, tiny lights of the Yellow Canary came into view. In the dark, there wasn’t much to see, but I could tell the island had high cliffs on one side, with the mansion standing tall in the center, surrounded by tall trees in the distance and several boats anchored by the shore in the front.

Minutes later, our boat docked at an empty dock bridge, unlike the larger pier, which appeared crowded with other guests.

Arkane stepped out first and helped me with a gentle hand. Not that I needed any, but it felt nice. His touch was reassuring somehow, and I liked it even though I shouldn’t. Moreover, we were playing a part. I was to be his ignorant date.