"Here we go." Chloe smiled, stepping out of Damian's vintage Ferrari 250 GTO in front of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. The paparazzi's cameras flashed like gunfire, catching every movement. Chloe smoothed her scarlet Valentino gown, tailored for her thirty-six-week pregnant body.

Damian moved fast, already out of the driver's seat and tossing the keys to the valet before Chloe could blink. He strode to her side, looking Gatsbyesque in his tailored black tuxedo. His wavy blond hair shone under the lights, and his sharp, green eyes glared at the photographers as if warning them to keep their distance. His muscles filled out the tux in all the right ways, and Chloe had no doubt the cameras were eating it up.

He grabbed her hand as she stepped forward. "You okay, babe?"

"I'm fine. I can handle a few camera flashes." Chloe smiled, waving at the paparazzi as if they were old friends. Weeks of media training helped her to conquer her social media fears.

Damian's arm slid around her waist, pulling her in close. "If anyone gives you shit tonight, just let me know."

Chloe laughed, leaning into him as they strolled toward the hotel entrance. "I'll let you know when one of these sleazebags starts looking at me like they're ready to bid on my tits."

Damian's lips curled into a grin as his eyes darted to the older men arriving with their too-young dates, sculpted by the knife and pumped with silicone. He kissed Chloe's temple, his hand tightening around her waist."Don't worry. They'd never stand a chance with a natural beauty."

As they moved closer to the hotel's grand entrance, one of the photographers shouted from behind the barriers, "Miss Carter, Miss Carter! You and Mister Scott are expecting a baby! Is it a boy or a girl?"

Chloe ignored the question, her smile never wavering. She felt Damian's hand press into the small of her back, guiding her forward, away from the chaos.

Keep them guessing.

She had learned how to play this game by now.

Inside the grand ballroom, the noise of the cameras melted away, replaced by the low murmur of polite conversations and clinking champagne flutes. Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the room. It was a who's who of the ultra-elite—billionaires, A-listers, politicians, and old-money families. The type of people who could move markets with a single phone call.

As Chloe scanned the room, she spotted Val sitting at a nearby table in a strappy satin gown, her long brunette waves spilling over her shoulders. Chloe had known Val as a blonde for the past year, but now she'd returned to her natural dark hair.

Val caught her gaze and raised a hand in greeting. Chloe approached, nodding to familiar faces as she passed. Damian started a lively conversation with Nick and Alistair, who came without partners. Chloe hoped Vera would be there, but she was nowhere in sight.

Chloe offered a wry smile as she sat next to Val. "I love your hair. You look like a femme fatale now."

Val grinned, her red lips matching the wine in her glass. "Blondes don't always have more fun."

Chloe glanced around the room, eyeing the handsome Italian yawning next to his uncle. "What's with Chase? He looks like he'd rather be anywhere else."

Val rolled her eyes. "Angelo dragged him here. Told him it was 'family business.' You know how that goes."

Chloe's grin faded as Val's expression shifted. She leaned in, her voice dropping. "I'm here for you, you know."

"For me?" Chloe's brows furrowed.

Val didn't blink. "To protect you from her." She tilted her head toward a figure across the room.

Gemma Rochefort.

Chloe's stomach twisted. Dressed in a pale pink tulle gown, Gemma glided across the room, looking disgustingly innocent. The sight of the cunning bitch made Chloe's skin crawl.

But that wasn't the worst part.

Standing beside her, with one hand on her lower back, was Mike Moreno—slick and dangerously charming. The silver fox scanned the room like a predator, smiling at people who stopped to talk.

"Are those two fucking each other?" Chloe hissed, barely loud enough for Val to hear.

Val took a slow sip of her wine. "That's not the issue. Undercover cops are watching them this weekend. They're expecting to catch Moreno in the middle of a deal."

Chloe's pulse quickened. "What deal?"

"A purchase. Fifty grand for something or someone." Val's eyes flicked back toward Gemma and Moreno, her lips tight. "We're not sure yet. But it's bad."

Chloe's stomach churned, a mix of anger and nausea rising in her throat. "Is that all people are worth these days? Fifty grand?"

Val's hand landed on hers, squeezing it gently. "Don't let them see you rattle. This is bigger than that. Let the cops handle it."

Chloe glanced over at Damian, who was still deep in discussion with Nick and Alistair. His eyes flicked to her briefly before shifting back to his uncle and father.

He's hiding something.

She drank her sparkling water, frowning while the baby kicked inside. Damian was keeping more secrets from her—she could feel it. "My husband is an enigma, Val. Sometimes, I feel I don't know him at all."

Val sucked her teeth and breathed out. "Sweetie, I'm not getting between you and Dami, but anything he keeps to himself is to protect you and your baby. Remember when you said you needed an army?"

"You said I had one."

Val tucked a strand of hair behind Chloe's ear. "You just worry about keeping calm tonight."

Chloe forced a smile. "Calm isn't my thing these days."

Val released a smooth, velvety laugh. "Yeah, I figured. But seriously—be careful. If Moreno and Gemma get agitated, things could turn ugly. Fast."

Chloe nodded, biting her lower lip. She knew there was more going on than what she was told.

***

"I'm going to the restroom," Chloe said, pushing back her chair and rising gracefully.

"I'll come with you." Val stood, adjusting the strap of her Gucci handbag. With a playful grin, she grabbed Chloe's hand. "Let's go before we kill someone."

The restroom was as luxurious as the rest of the hotel—gold-framed mirrors, marble countertops, and velvet benches fit for a palace. Chloe leaned toward the mirror, powdering her face and reapplying her deep red lipstick. "God, I look like I've been battling dragons."

Val snorted, pulling out her concealer and wiping a small smudge beneath her right eye. "Honey, we are battling dragons. The trick is to look flawless while we slay them."

Before Chloe could respond, the door swung open with a soft thud.

Gemma.

She strutted like she owned the place, her eyes zeroing in on them with a sneer. "Well, well, look what the cat dragged in. The two whores of Lester Harbor."

Chloe's eyes flared, her heart thumping hard against her ribs. "Excuse me, what language are you speaking? Because it sounds like bullshit."

Gemma's lips curled into a smirk. "You understand bullshit very well, Chloe. It's your mother tongue."

Val rolled her eyes and leaned against the counter, flicking her hair back. "And you're still bitter Damian didn't want you, huh? Must be exhausting being desperate."

Gemma's eyes flicked to Val, her smile fading. "The trash gets picked up tomorrow. Maybe you should start packing."

Chloe's hand clenched around her lipstick, stepping in before Val could go for the jugular. "Gemma, you remind me of a penny—two-faced and not worth much."

Gemma's eyes narrowed to slits. "Bitch, please. Your birth certificate was an apology letter from the condom factory. Your real parents didn't want you." She sneered and tossed a crumpled tissue at Chloe, the insult hanging in the air like poison.

Val grabbed Chloe's wrist, squeezing gently to remind her to keep calm. "She's trying to get under your skin. Don't let her."

Gemma laughed condescendingly. "Ever since I first saw you at Damian's, I've hated you. His mother disapproved of gutter trash, so she picked me for him. Obviously."

Chloe's knuckles were white, but she managed to smile. "Wow. You hate me? Well, join the club at the corner of Fuck You Street and Kiss My Ass Boulevard. You'll fit right in."

Gemma scoffed, but the restroom door swung open again before she could fire back. Chloe gave Val a pointed look and motioned toward the door. "Let's go before I lose it."

***

As Chloe and Val weaved through the bustling ballroom, Gemma sauntered toward them, a glass of red wine delicately balanced in her hand. Chloe caught a glimpse of the smug smile tugging at Gemma's lips, but before she could react, Gemma's shoulder brushed roughly against hers.

A sharp splash of liquid hit Chloe's chest, the rich red wine cascading down her scarlet gown like blood on silk.

"Oops," Gemma sang sweetly, her eyes glittering with malicious glee as she strutted toward Mike Marino.

Shocked, Chloe froze. Her fingers tightened around her glass of water as understanding came to her. "I swear to God, I'm going to slap her so hard Google won't be able to find her."

"Gemma isn't worth it. She'll get her due," Val reminded Chloe.

Chloe let out a long breath, fighting the urge to explode. "You know, she's like the human version of period cramps. I want her gone."

Val giggled, reaching for a tissue from her bag. "Remind me to never get on your bad side. You're savage when you're mad." She dabbed at the red wine on Chloe's dress, frowning.

Chloe glanced up, watching Gemma schmooze with each person in Mike's social circle. Her blood boiled until the baby kicked hard, pulling her attention back to her body.

"Val, this baby is driving me nuts already." Chloe winced, rubbing her belly.

Val placed her palm on Chloe's bump, her eyes lighting up. "Oh my God, I can feel it! Those are strong kicks. Is the child always this active?"

Chloe nodded, trying to catch her breath. "Evenings are her time to practice kickboxing. She doesn't settle down until one or two in the morning."

Val's blue eyes widened. "Her? She? It's a girl?"

"Ssshh." Chloe pressed her forefinger to her lips.

"You've got a fighter growing in there. Definitely a blend of you and Dami."

"I need to sit because my feet are killing me. I think I'll rest in the hotel room." Chloe sighed, shifting her weight from one aching foot to the other. Her legs felt like lead, and her shoe straps felt too tight around her swollen ankles.

Val pursed her lips. "Honey, with Gemma and Mad Mike Moreno lurking around, you're not going up there alone. It's too risky."

Chloe scanned the room, searching for the one person who could steady her nerves. She spotted Damian strolling through the crowd, his tall frame cutting through the sea of glittering guests like the Red Sea parting for him. His immaculate tuxedo seemed to draw attention from everyone around him, but his eyes were only on her.

"Looks like Dami's heard the siren's call. I'll leave you two alone and keep Chase company." Val nodded toward the other side of the room, where her lover sat brooding in the shadows.

Chloe felt the familiar flutter of relief when Damian approached—but the knot in her stomach tightened again. Something about tonight felt wrong. Her instincts screamed at her.

What is he hiding from me?

Damian's eyes met hers, warm yet guarded. Chloe's pulse quickened as his hand slid around her waist, his touch electric.

Before she could voice her thoughts, Damian leaned in with a low murmur. "We need to talk."

***

A/N: I hope you're enjoying the story so far. :) What will Damian tell Chloe?