Chapter 1 (Eden)

It’s not Cain. It can’t be.

Cain wouldn’t bring me here just so he could hurt me like this.

He loves me.

I wipe the tear making its way down my cheek with my fingers.

Despite my brain’s insistence that the man leaving in a haste isn’t Cain…another tear falls.

His lips.

Everything else about the man. His hair, his tux, even the way he touched the woman he kissed on the dancefloor…I could chalk up to coincidence. But I know those lips.

They’re the same lips I’ve dreamed about kissing since I was fourteen.

But my heart isn’t convinced. It needs proof. I refuse to believe Cain would betray me like this.

I take a step forward, preparing to follow him out of the ballroom, but the ground beneath me tilts and I stumble instead.

I’m trying to gather my bearings when the lights above me change colors, illuminating the room in a red glow.

“Take it easy, sweetheart.” The man next to me nods at the now packed dance floor. “Cocktail hour just ended, and you’re already hammered.”

I blink in confusion. I’m not drunk. Anxiety shoots through me like a rocket and I clutch my chest. It’s becoming an actual struggle to draw in air.

Oh, God. I’m having a panic attack. Right here in front of all these people.

“Why don’t we go somewhere more private for a little while?” the man shouts in my ear, so loud I wince. “This way I can look after you.”

The man tugs on my hand, but I yank it back.

Nausea churns my insides. I need to get out of here but my feet won’t move, no matter how much I plead with them to.

Cain. I need him. He’s the only one who can help me through this.

Instinctively, I peruse the room for him while I pull out my phone, ignoring the little voice inside mocking my efforts.

I think I spot him, but strobe lights start flickering, and the music changes—filling my ears with uneven beats, dark harmonies, and intense tempos.

My senses kick into overdrive, making it impossible to concentrate, but I scan the room in a last-ditch attempt anyway and send a text directly to his phone instead of the app.

“Fine, be that way,” the man next to me snaps. “I was only trying to help, you drunk bitch.”

“What?” I can’t understand a word he’s saying. I want to ask him to repeat himself, but the lights flash…and then it’s nothing but darkness.

A few people scream, but it’s drowned out by a spooky, evil laugh that crackles through the speakers.

A moment later, the lights turn back on, sheathing the room in a blood red hue again.

My legs finally get the signal and I put one foot in front of the other. I’m halfway to the exit when the lights go out for a second time. It’s so dark I can’t even make out shapes, let alone walk.

Terror spirals through me when a muscular arm wraps around my waist.

I open my mouth to yell at the asshole who won’t take no for an answer, but I’m slammed against a wall.

“Wh—” My eyes adjust, enabling me to see the tall figure wearing a black mask in front of me. My heart takes flight when I inhale the scent of Cain’s aftershave.

“Cain.” I smile, feeling both relieved he came to my rescue and stupid for ever thinking he would bring me here to hurt me. “You found—” My voice catches when he presses his palm over my heart. The part of me he owns and controls. The part of me that will forever be tethered to him.

I look down when his hand compresses, painfully constricting the organ. “What are you doing?”

I try to maneuver out of his hold, but he’s too strong. Whenever I inhale, he pushes down harder. Fear pumps through my veins and I grip the collar of his jacket, urging him to stop.

White spots form in front of my eyes and the hand gripping his collar goes limp at my side. It physically hurts to breathe. I’m going to pass out if he doesn’t let up in the next ten seconds.

I flatten my back against the wall, hoping to catch a shallow breath, but the crushing weight becomes so unbearable, I give up.

My knees buckle and I start to fall—but suddenly the force is gone.

I suck in air so fast I cough, and try to push him away, but he leans in, his mouth hovering over my ear. “Remember that feeling, Eden.” His voice is deep and raspy…different. “Because it’s only going to get worse.”

My blood runs cold. It’s not Cain.

“Who are you?”

I feel his lips curve against the shell of my ear. “A friend.”

My cheeks heat when he nuzzles my neck and plants a kiss where my pulse is beating erratically. “My friends don’t hurt me.”

I know I should be running away and finding Cain, but I need to know who this man is and how he knows my name.

And why my body responds to him the way it does…even though it’s obvious he wants to harm me.

“You’re right.” His teeth scrape my flesh as his hand slips through the slit in my dress. “I’m definitely not your friend.” The vehemence in his tone is chilling, yet his touch is soft like velvet. “Consider me a messenger.” He gives me an evil grin that makes my stomach drop. “Cain’s waiting for you upstairs.”

I blink in confusion. “Cain sent you to get me?”

That doesn’t seem right, although it’s not entirely out of the question. Cain has people to do his bidding for him. But it’s weird that he would send one of his employees to fetch me.

The tip of his finger slithers up my thigh and I glare at him. “I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, Sir. Because if Cain ever finds out you touched me, I guarantee you’ll be out of a job.” I crinkle my nose. “And probably a few teeth.”

He smirks. “It’s a shame we didn’t meet under different circumstances.” He captures my hand with his free one and kisses my finger. The one I cut on broken glass. “Last bedroom on the second floor.” He plucks the string of pearls against my hip bone. “The one next to the closet.”

With that, he releases me.