As if everyone's been waiting for our cue, couples start flooding the dance floor. A band starts playing a romantic song with a one, two—a one, two, three, four.

Where have I heard this song? In a dream?

I can't help but chuckle when Nate pulls me into his arms, and we begin to sway to the music. My satin dress swirls around my legs like a soft, black cloak, brushing against the floor. This is what princesses must feel like—fancy, mighty and care-free. Nate gives me a twirl, and just as he is about to catch me back, my heels snag on my skirt and I lose my balance.

So much for feeling like a royalty!

I stumble forward, but Nate's grip around my waist tightens and I find myself flush against his body. His warm chest shakes with bouts of laughter. I laugh too, when our eyes meet.

"I suck at slow dancing," I say. "We can sit if you want."

"Nah, you just need a little courage," he whispers in my ear. "Wait here. I'll go get some." With that, he twirls me once more and darts off to find a waiter.

The couples on the dance floor are swinging left and right—feels like they are whirling around me. I throw my head up and smile at the crystal icicles hanging from the ceiling.

What will Nate bring? Mojitos? Shots? Some wine? Yeah, I could take another drink.

Honestly, this night isn't going as bad as I thought it would. I survived meeting Roman, then weathered Dad's anxiety. I came clean with Nate, had a few drinks, and look at me! I'm still standing—dancing! Okay, I'm all alone and awkwardly swaying left and right, but I don't feel lonely anymore.

Raising my arms to the rhythm of the song, I swing my hips.

But then I feel chills creeping up my spine.

Did they amp the AC or did I have too much to drink? The bass of the music pulses in my chest. I stop dancing, press my hands against my heart and push it back.

Why is it out of rhythm?

A shadow sweeps across the dance floor and takes my breath away. I sense a pair of eyes flickering at the nape of my neck, demanding me to turn around. I resist the urge, but it's getting harder to stand grounded. My heart feels heavy. Goosebumps flare all over my skin.

I shouldn't look back... So, I look ahead. My gaze drifts over the guests heads, searching for a distraction. Where is Nate?

There he is! By the edge of the dance floor, patting a waiter's arm, grabbing a couple of glasses from a tray. The stage lights cast a halo around him and I can't help but think what a great guy he is.

Faint footsteps shake the earth. A different kind of heat, one that stirs that dark place within my soul, burns the exposed skin on my back. No matter how much I try to focus on Nate, my primal side needs me to turn around. It demands me to look... at him. So, I do.

One look won't do any harm.

The dancing crowd in their elegant ballgowns part and let me catch a glimpse of Roman. He is standing under the stage, in the shadows. His fists are clenched, hanging by his sides—just like mine. His head mirrors my movement, tilting up, ever so slightly. I can feel the storm inside him.

He wants me.

But I can't run into his arms.

I remember this moment... I dreamt about it on my twenty-fifth birthday.

Is this where my life is heading? A cliff and an eternal fall?

I hug myself and dig my nails into my arms.

Am I running to the future I'm escaping from?

Roman's frown deepens. His face suddenly blurs and disappears when Nate waves a champagne glass in front of my eyes.

"Sorry. Took me a while to find the good stuff," he says, chuckling into my ear, then spins me around to face him.

I hide behind my drink and chug it with shaky hands.

"Whoa, slow down!" Nate snatches my glass, but it's too late! I can't help but grin as he flips it over. When nothing spills out, Nate shrugs and finishes his own drink. His face sours and makes me laugh. And God, it feels so good to laugh! But we can't just stop here... I grab Nate's hand and start chasing after a passing waiter. Nate laughs, running along.

We refresh our drinks in a flash. Cold bubbles tickle our throats as we down one drink after another.

Who knew Nate had so much green in his eyes?

Next, we're back on the dance floor. I bump into on an elderly man dancing with a younger woman. "Is that his daughter or his wife?" I yell into Nate's ear.

Nate apologizes to the couple as he pulls me back into his arms. We're still giggling when he steps on some lady's skirt, and this time, I yank him away. The woman's scowl makes us laugh harder. We run to the center of the dance floor and disappear into the crowd.

My feet are numb from the high heels as I accidentally step onto Nate's foot. He winks and lets me stand on his shoes for a while, then lazily spins us around and puts me back on the ground. Leaning into his chest, I close my eyes.

His shirt feels cool and crisp against my cheek. One of his buttons is tickling my nose. I tilt my head up and nuzzle his collar. The scent of his oceanic cologne has faded, replaced by something smoky and bittersweet.

Is that what Nate really smells like underneath? Because it churns my gut and sends bubbles soaring through my veins. His champagne breath feels like a soft breeze on my lips. I open my eyes to find him inches away. His dreamy smile reveals the edges of his white teeth. My hand runs over his chest. God, the muscles beneath his shirt feel glorious. My fingers glide over his shoulders and tangle in his soft hair.

"Nate," I whisper in need.

His body responds instantly. He shifts in his place and parts his legs to center me against him. His hold around my body tightens. With a gentle stroke, he brushes away my bangs, then cups my cheek. My nails dig into his jacket—the muscles on his back are stretching deliciously. I hold my breath. My heart is pounding at the back of my throat. I'm a mess—a hot, molten, weightless, messy, mess of a mess.

A shadow is streaking toward us like a shooting star. A guttural growl vibrates all around me.

Is that Nate? I want him too.

With a shaky moan, I rise on my toes and press my lips against his. Nate's breath hitches as he parts his lips, but then his warmth completely disappears.

I'm hugging thin air.

I stumble forward and open my eyes to stare blankly at the dancing crowd.

Where is Nate?

Fuck. I've lost it completely, haven't I? I'm delusional—

"Mine!" A wild voice roars. "SHE. IS. MINE!"

Gasps ripple through the guests, and a woman screams.

The band stops playing when two bodies crash to the floor. The sickening thud of flesh hitting flesh fills the tense silence.

"Nobody touches her! She is mine! She is fucking mine!"

Roman! It's Roman!

I turn around, pressing my hand against my gaping mouth. My eyes are about to pop as they try to make sense of the chaos under the flashing lights.

Is that Nate? Yes, it is!

He is lying sprawled on the floor, and Roman is straddling him like a lion, raining down punches on his handsome face. Three men in tuxes run to break the fight, but Roman is unstoppable. His eyes are wide open and burning like hellfire. Gritting his teeth, he lands another punch to Nate's bloodied lips before rearing back for another strike.

Two men try to grab Roman's arms, but he shakes them off and lands another blow across Nate's cheek.

"Nate!" I hear my own cry as I try to get to him...but people are pulling me away. "Roman! Stop!"

Their shirts are smeared with blood. Nate's grip is slipping as he desperately tries to grab his brother's shoulders. But he can't keep Roman away. Turning his head, Nate covers his face with his arms. He's surrendering.

I take a deep breath and hold it. Roman will stop now. He will stop, seeing that his brother has given up.

But he lifts his fist and hits Nate across the chin.

Nate's painful grunt echoes in my heart.

The guests are screaming. Everyone's up on their feet, running to the dance-floor. Hands are pulling me into the crowd as a group of men rushes in.

I can barely see the figures around the brothers through the shoulders in front of me. Someone steps on my foot while another shoves me forward. It's getting harder to breathe. The raw sounds of the fight echo around me. The guests murmurs are making me queasy.

I clutch my throat and let out a scream.

Roman's going to kill him!

"Nate! Rom— Na—" I don't know whose name I'm crying anymore.

When I see an opening, I push through and streak into the middle of the fight.

"Stop!" I howl, closing my body around Nate's face. "Just... Stop!"

A sharp pain shoots through my ear.

And everything goes black in the blink of an eye, as if someone has shut the lights.