"Gianna! Hurry or we'll be late!" "Coming, dad!" I threw my hair over my shoulders, looking at myself one last time in the mirror, grabbing my matching blood red clutch, and then left. I made it downstairs and walked over to my dad. "Sorry, I'm ready now." "You look lovely," he smiled, fixing a stray hair. "Thank you," I grinned. I followed him outside and climbed into the car, Mr. Pete opened the door for me. He's been our chauffeur since I was a little kid. He was even here before Chase was born. And stayed after he died. I made sure my dress wouldn't get caught on the door and then leaned back, staring through the window as we left our estate and headed over to the auction. I used to like living in Chicago as a kid. But then again, as a kid, I had no idea what really happens behind closed doors. At least within our family business. It's like every goddamn movie. Corrupt. My dad's business of exports is just a front. Just how every other associate of his has a cover business, so do we. And thankfully, I have nothing to do with what goes on behind the curtains, but everything to do with the exports. We started with textiles and I turned it into fashion. It's the only way I was staying in Phoenix International. It would have remained an export business if Chase was alive to run it. I knew from a younger age that I was just meant to sit there and look pretty. But everything changed when Chase died. I was needed. I became another pawn, a bigger one than I already was. I was the pretty young daughter who didn't go to college but attended parties. Behind closed doors, I was learning business. My brother was the charming, older son who was joining the family business. Then he was killed. "Gianna." I snapped out of my thoughts, turning to my dad. "Yes?" "I've been thinking." "Mm-hmm." "You've just turned twenty-two." I nodded slowly. He hesitated, resting his elbow on the controller in between. "Why don't we…" I raised my brows at him. "Why don't we start talking about your marriage, huh?" "My marriage?" I asked, trying not to let the panic set in. It's happening, I thought I'd avoided it when I joined the business but I should have known. CEO or not, I'm still the pretty little, good for nothing daughter. "Yes. There are plenty of options for you. I'm on good terms with everybody at the moment, you can choose your own groom. You can meet some of them tonight." "Dad," I cleared. "Most of your friends have sons that are older than me. A lot older than me." "Not those, honey. I'm talking about the ones that are around your age. Like um… Jaden?" Isn't he engaged? "Or Noah?" Player. "Nathan?" Reserved for Aria. "Or Ace?" I felt my blood run cold just at the mention of his name. "Ace Allister?" I asked, somehow not stuttering like I always do when I saw his name. He nodded. "They have a good business at the front, they do good business behind closed doors. He's involved with all of it and the few times I've worked with him and his father, I've got great amounts of profit. What do you think of him?" I think you have no idea what a monster he really is. "I don't know him well," I said, digging my french-tip nails into my palms. "Well, you should talk to him tonight. Find out if he's single at least. Tell me when we're headed back, okay?" The car slowed down to a stop in front of the hotel. "Okay, dad." I stepped out, accepting Mr. Pete's hand while he helped me. I straightened the trail of my dress and thanked him, walking a few steps behind my dad. I looked around the lobby, blindly following my dad into the banquet hall. I greeted all the important people around first, staying by my dad's side. "Gigi!" I turned around, spotting Aria. She waved, grinning ear to ear and I waved back. She excused herself and came over, clutching my arm. "Have you met everyone yet? Can I steal her away, Mr. Phoenix?" My dad laughed, "Not yet, my dear. Just a little while longer." She nodded. "Meet me at the bar, okay?" "Mm-hmm," I smiled. She walked away and I turned to face my dad and the next guests. We're not even the hosts, why do we have to meet everyone? I'm pretty sure it's only because my dad gets to make new alliances and deals. "Kieran," my dad smiled, shaking the man's hand. "John," he smiled back. "This is my daughter Gianna. I don't believe you met her last time we worked together." "No, I don't believe I did. Hello, Gianna." "Hello, it's really nice to meet you," I smiled. "Oh, here comes my son. Ace!" I was hoping Mr. Allister wouldn't call on his son, but I'm never lucky, am I? I looked to my right and spotted him. He was walking towards us with confidence oozing out of him. It really makes me want to murder him. With his hands tucked into his pockets, his hair nicely styled, his perfect suit, his shiny shoes. I clenched my teeth and looked around until he stopped beside his dad. "Ace, you remember Mr. John Phoenix, don't you?" "Of course. It's nice to see you again, Mr. Phoenix." "And you, and you. This is my daughter Gianna. I'm not sure if you two have ever met at one of these parties." I continued looking around. "Gianna." I turned to my dad at the call of my name. "Oh, sorry." I turned to him, smiling with clenched teeth. "Hi." He blinked once. "Hi," he replied. He knows me. He has to know who I am, he can't be that dumb. Unless he was practically blind that night, he definitely knows me. "Have we met before?" He traced his bottom lip with his thumb while watching me. "I don't think we have," I lied. "Hmm," he nodded. "I think I would have remembered a face like yours." "Kieran, let's have a chat," my dad said, walking away with his father, leaving just the two of us. He stepped closer and I fought the urge to turn and run. "Or maybe I wouldn't," he smirked. "I think that would be better. Please excuse me." I turned around, heading to the bar. "I think I do though." I stopped in my tracks, taking in a breath and turning back around. "Do you? Remind me where we've met, please. I can't seem to remember you," I chuckled. I'm bold to say that. Everybody remembers Ace Allister. He doesn't really do things you can forget and he knows it. "I don't think we had a proper introduction, actually," he laughed softly. "Well, we've had one now. Excuse me." I turned around and walked away as fast as I could. I hate him. I hate him so much for everything he did to me. To Chase. He has some responsibility in my shitty life, he's the reason I was dragged under the spotlight. If he hadn't… If Chase was still here, I wouldn't be used to strike deals and play nice with dad's partners. I would be staying at home. I walked over to Aria and plopped down on a barstool. "Hiya," she sang, stirring her martini. "Hiya," I mumbled, looking around. "Can I get an iced tea, please? Add some vodka to it." The bartender nodded in understanding and started making my drink. "Why do you think we're brought to these auctions and parties when we just have to sit in a corner after meeting everyone?" She frowned, looking around. "Well, we don't have to sit in a corner. We're free to mingle with people. Why don't you go mingle with Nathan?" I sighed, taking my drink and mumbling a 'thank you' in response. "He's too pretty for me, I'm telling you. I don't know how to talk to him." "Did your parents introduce you to each other?" "It was just a simple hello, it's how I greet everybody." "Bump into him." "That's so cliche." "Then walk over and talk to him." "Too scary." I chuckled, "Then wave at him." "Too cheesy." "Then just sit here and do nothing." "Why doesn't he make a move?" "Don't you think you both should talk a little? How can he just make a move on you blindly?" "Attention, please!" I spun around, looking at the stage where the auctioneer was starting to accept bids. They're selling paintings tonight and claiming the profits will go to charity, but everybody here knows it's going to be put towards corrupt businesses with maybe only thirty percent going to charity. "Oh, I didn't know they're auctioning jewelry tonight." "Are they?" I looked at the first items being brought out. Diamond necklace and earrings set. Solid. Solidly useless. "We'll start the bidding at five-hundred-thousand dollars!" "Five-fifty!" Someone called. "Six hundred!" "Six-eighty!" "Eight hundred!" "Nine hundred!" "This is so stupid," I scoffed. "Who's going to pay a million dollars for a fucking necklace?" I sipped my drink. "One million!" My eyes widened and I looked for the face in the crowd. Jaden. With a new clingy fiance on his arm, gushing over the diamonds. I rolled my eyes. "One million going once. Going twice. Sold to Mr. Jaden Greggory!" "Moron," I mumbled, setting my half-empty glass on the marble counter. "Complete moron, you're right." I looked up and did a double-take at Ace's face. "One million for a necklace seems a bit much, doesn't it?" I stared at him, trying not to react. "Complete moron," I said, turning my attention back to the stage. "Next we have this painting of a beach view in Maine! Let's start the bidding at two-hundred-thousand dollars!" "You ran from me," he said, watching me. "No, I ran for a drink," I lied again, sipping from the straw. "No, you ran from me," he argued. "Why?" "I'm going to the bathroom, Gi. I'll be right back." I bit back a sigh. Perfect timing, Aria, really. "Why?" he repeated. I ignored him and stared at the auctioneer, listening to the bids getting higher. "Because I killed your brother?" . . . . Chapter 1