Chapter 66

Kendall studied herself in the mirror, turning around to give the back of her Balmain dress a look.

It was a black dress that looked like the jacket of a suit. Perfectly tailored to her body with intricately designed golden buttons, it ended halfway down her thighs and made her legs look extra-long in the black sheer stockings she wore.

She nervously touched a hand to the pearls around her neck and lifted her hair to check the matching earrings. Her black heels shone under the lights of her hotel room with every step she took as she paced before the mirror.

She’d attended the convention as Lucien Sinclair’s secretary, but at the party, she would make sure to keep her tag hidden. The last thing she needed was that famous name of his to get her unwanted attention.

All she would do is locate Hamza and offer him a drink. Then she’d take him out on one of the many balconies and have a great conversation while sliding in the information Justin had given her. She didn’t know who Hamza was, she was just a tired secretary wanting to vent about her job to a hot man like him, accidentally giving him confidential information about her boss’s issues with the Al-Siddiq group.

She needed him to eagerly ask her for Lucien’s personal number by the end of the night. He had to be the one to take the step towards them for this to work the way Justin wanted it to.

Trying to stay calm, she met her own gaze in the mirror. This past week had been hell.

Once tonight was over, she’d head back to Connecticut and move out of the hotel. She’d been feeling more uneasy than usual lately and had started getting more nightmares.

She’d get a place to stay, graduate, and then find herself a good job. She didn’t want to think about Lucien. Not now, it would ruin everything. Besides, she’d thought about him enough in the past seven days.

The evening party had started ten minutes ago. Kendall hadn’t been in a rush because the venue was in this very hotel; she just needed to go downstairs.

She grabbed her bag and marched out of the room before she could convince herself to crawl into bed and watch a movie.

She reached the party venue in minutes and walked in as casually as she could.

She’d been to many such events with Lucien, but it was her first time attending one on her own.

Her gut knotted with nerves, but she forced herself to breathe, grabbing a glass of champagne off a passing tray.

Gentle piano music was floating through the air as the rich and powerful clinked glasses and exchanged subtle winks of secrecy.

She walked slowly through the crowd, feeling a few eyes on her as brows of curiosity rose. Kendall took in everything she was seeing, feeling a strange emotion curve through her heart.

For a moment, she paused to look around, and unexpectedly, she saw everything through the eyes of young Valencia Raine.

The switch to her previous identity came without warning, and she was momentarily breathless, taking in the smell of money and power.

She was here, among those she’d wished to be. A subtle scoff puffed out of her as one corner of her mouth rose in a minuscule smile. It was bittersweet. She had it now, after years of work, but it felt unstable.

Like she was carrying something far too large in hands far too small. Like a single mistake would have it all clattering out of her hands and shattering in a way she could never fix.

Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, forcing her mind back under control.

She was Kendall McCarthy, wealthy and belonging— more than anyone— in a room like this. That was the only way she would ever deserve anyone’s love.

“You okay, there?”

Kendall opened her eyes, turning toward the voice.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Tall, broad-shouldered, good-looking Arab man with amber eyes and a mouth shaped for lies.

Hamza Rahim. What in the good luck was this?

“Huh?” she mumbled.

He gave her a big, white smile. “You just seem a little disoriented.”

Kendall blinked, staring at him. Instantly, she could tell that the cheating scandal that got him divorced hadn’t been the only time he’d cheated. Just the only time he’d been caught.

There was no time to analyze him, she needed to get started on the plan! “Oh, uhm… yeah, I’m a little…” She sighed and weakly swayed.

Instantly, he caught her against his chest, looking down at her. “Oh, no, habibti. It looks like you’re not so well.”

She fanned herself wearily. “I just need some air. Can you help me get to a balcony, please?”

“Of course.” Still holding her, he turned to a man hovering behind him and told him to bring some water.

Then he started guiding Kendall away, and she was rapidly running through different scenarios in her mind. How she’d bring up the topic and how she’d steer the entire conversation.

“I saw you at the convention,” Hamza quietly said as they walked.

“Really?” Kendall asked, discreetly glancing around. Justin said Lucien would be late, but she didn’t see him. She hoped she wouldn’t have to.

“Yes, I was wondering what such a beautiful girl is doing here all alone,” said Hamza.

Working? Kendall inwardly rolled her eyes. “Well, at least you’re here now,” she said instead.

He laughed, delighted with her flirtatious words. “Lucky you. You nearly fainted back there.”

“I know, I’m just under so much stress.”

“Ah.” He sighed, shaking his head. “Now, that’s not right. A woman so beautiful, stressing? I wouldn’t allow it.” He smiled charmingly down at her. “Your man is not so responsible, habibti.”

Kendall was alarmed to feel her stomach flutter. What sorcery did this man have in his word and smile? She had to get away from him as soon as possible.

“Hamza, darling?” a sultry voice suddenly called.

Kendall breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the distraction as they paused so Kanza could turn toward the person who had called him.

She threw a casual glance in that direction and turned to complete ice.

Grinning, a stunning woman was prancing toward them as she waved her fingers at Hamza.

She stared at the woman in cold shock. Karma.

Kendall spun away, throwing her hair over her face. Her heartbeat exploded, thundering in her ears as panic mounted. That was Karma.

“Karina, baby,” Hamza said, hugging her. “There you are. I can’t believe you’re here. Do you fly out for every guy you match on Tinder?”

She giggled. “Of course not, only you.”

Kendall felt nauseous, her shoulders tensing as the two spoke behind her. She could recognize Karma anywhere. What was she doing here? How had she gotten here?

“Who’s this?” Karma asked him. She winked. “Another girl? You wanna have more fun tonight?”

He laughed, swiping his tongue at the corner of his mouth. “Maybe. If she’s up for it. What do you say, habibti? Let’s take that stress away.”