Chapter 67

Sienna’s POV

I barely slept a wink, awake at the crack of dawn thinking about what I was going to wear to that dinner.

Right when Lucas opened the boutique, I was at the front door, fidgeting with a loose thread on my sleeve.

I couldn’t believe I was going to the Rosenfell that night. I’d scrub my entire body clean, not a single speck of dirt on me anywhere.

Every strand of my hair would be completely in place, brushed to perfection.

“Got an event?” Lucas asked, amused at how early I was.

“I absolutely do.” I turned to look at him, a smile spreading on my lips, my pulse quickening. “Dinner with Archimedes.”

Lucas’ eyes widened, his mouth dropping open a few inches. “The Archimedes? CEO of the big security company?”

“Him,” I nodded, a little proud to admit it. “And we’re going to the Rosenfell.”

“The fanciest in town,” Lucas chuckled, leading me over to the classy cocktail dresses. My mouth went dry at the price tags, but for this, it was worth it.

“I don’t really feel like I belong there,” I laughed, trying to make it a joke but failing. Lucas saw right through it, too.

“Sure you do.” He gave me a reassuring smile, nudging me towards the dresses. “Find the perfect one — you’ll fit right in.”

The truth was, I never would. But at least for tonight, I could pretend to. The dresses in front of me were gorgeous, a wide array of colors and materials.

How did I want to present myself to Archimedes? Did I go for the same color scheme as that show-stopping mask?

If he even wears it, I thought, my heart rate spiking.

I reached out, touching over a black satin dress that fell past the knees, the neckline and waist lined with a silvery diamond that matched Archimedes mask almost too perfectly.

It was that one or nothing.

•

I’d spent the entire day getting ready, my stomach clenched in nerves…or nausea. Probably both.

Archimedes had a car sent for me — a high end one — with tinted windows and shiny wheels. My pulse was thrumming everywhere in my body as I stepped in, looking more beautiful than I ever had.

Like Lucas had said, the dress fit me perfectly. It hugged my body in the exact way that would drive any man crazy, the diamond neckline scooping down to the perfect amount of cleavage.

I’d pulled my hair back off my face, managing to get it into an elegant bun, loose pieces framing my face.

It was honestly a relief that Asher wasn’t around to see me — who knows if I’d be able to hold myself back.

Miss no feelings.

The car trip was smooth, only a few minutes until we pulled up in front of the Rosenfell restaurant, which emitted royalty just by the way its expensive string lights hung in its entry tunnel.

“Thank you,” I nodded to the driver, slipping out of the car and onto the pavement in front of the restaurant.

People in suits and dresses — none as pretty as mine — lined up at the door, waiting for their turn. But a hostess waved me forward, cutting in front of everyone, and took me straight through the restaurant and to a private area in the back.

Oh, this was nice.

She led me into a room with a large booth, wine already set out on the table. Archimedes stood, mask on, and held a gloved hand out for me.

“Thank you so much for coming, Sienna.”

Part of me was a little disappointed that he was still wearing the mask, while the other was thrilled the mystery still lived on. Something about it just…did it for me.

“This is…absolutely stunning. I’ve never had the chance to come here before.” I glanced around the room, politely taking his hand and letting him lead me to one side of the booth.

“I treat my clients to the very best,” Archimedes chuckled, and I let my eyes rest on the sparkle of his mask.

“Still in the mask?” I asked, trying so hard to keep from sounding too nosy.

“I wear it any time I’m in public or at the headquarters, for the same reason I said before.” His words had the edge of scolding on them, without too much heat.

“I just find it fascinating,” I blushed, averting my eyes to the wine glass in front of me, a deep shade of wine swirling in it.

“So how are you doing, Sienna?” he asked me suddenly, a prickle rising on my skin.

His question felt personal, truly personal, and the longer I looked into the eyes of his mask, the more infatuated with him I became.

“It hasn’t been the easiest,” I said, pursuing my lips.

“How is your new mate doing?” Archimedes spoke to me like he knew me, and something about that gave me the chills. Yet all I wanted was more.

“Rocky,” I tried to force a smile, but I just couldn’t. Thinking about Asher and the doom our relationship faced made my heart hurt.

“Do you want to talk more about it?”

A small part of me flagged this whole conversation as weird. This man was taking me to a restaurant for only the rich, asking me questions about my husband.

Fake husband, I muttered.

“I just wish things went differently, that’s all. I wish he stood up to me more, took responsibility.” Cared, was what I didn’t say.

Archimedes paused for a moment, my eyes glued to him. I imagined his brows furrowing, the edges of his lips turning down.

The waitress came over then, holding a platter of appetizers, and Archimedes and I fell into a natural conversation, straying away from the more personal things.

Which was a relief.

He felt so familiar, made me so comfortable, maybe because he was hidden behind that mask. Whatever it was, I liked it.

We barely talked about anything related to the security partnership, joking and laughing about all things life instead.

I looked down at the red wine in my glass, and my stomach roiled all of a sudden.

No, no, no, not now. Please.

Of all the times I could feel sick, this was not it.

The nausea took over me quickly, my thighs clenching in response. “Excuse me,” I breathed out, clutching my abdomen. “I just need a minute.”

“Are you — ” But I was already gone, the burn of Archimedes eyes on the back of my skull.

Once I splashed water on my face, I felt the slightest bit better, my stomach still aching, though a lot less severe.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw a woman I’d never seen before. Put together, strong, and ready to fight back against anything.

“You can do this,” I whispered, looking myself in the eye.

I spun back on my heel, retreating to the table to find to-go boxes set on it, Archimedes sitting with his hands clasped together.

“Maybe you need to rest,” he nodded, and I liked to think he was smiling.

“Our night was cut so short,” I said sadly, sitting at the edge of the booth. I couldn’t help but be afraid of getting nauseous again, though.

“We’ll have another,” Archimedes said, cocking his head ever so slightly as if he were winking. “I promise.”

I certainly wouldn’t say no to that.