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PROLOGUE: ANIKA

By the time I found the clock, I’d already decided my sister was going to die. Not literally. I wouldn’t do that for her, but damn if it wasn’t tempting to turn around and run the other way every time I took a step and the gorgeous burgundy gown swished around my ankles.

Alina had neglected to mention that the masquerade was being held in a marble palace where women wore diamonds large enough to pay my rent for a decade. She’d also failed to mention the armed security or the fact that half the guests looked less like donors and more like people whose donations came with bodies attached.

I tugged on the gown’s bodice, trying to pull it up to cover more of my cleavage. It fit because we were identical twins, but Alina wore clothes like this with panache. On me, every curve felt exposed. Her black lacquer mask covered in red roses with crystals around the eyes was beautiful. Dramatic even, and so very Alina.

In other words, very, very much not me.

She’d sent me in with one job. Find the three men Alina had been flirting with for weeks. I was supposed to smile and dance then make an excuse and leave. She’d promised it would be easy, but Alina considered lying a non-problematic expression of her love.

I stared at the clock, then at the three men waiting at its base. My feet refused to move. I’d started taking a step, only to freeze so fast a passing server nearly clipped my shoulder because she’d expected me to keep moving. “Alina, you bitch. You said they were older, not that they were dangerous.” I took a slow, deep breath through my nose and assessed the situation. One man had silver in his hair and broad shoulders. A dark mask covered half his face. The man on his right was leaner, his silver and black mask bold over his sharp chin. The third had thick, dark hair, a short beard, and an easy smile that reminded me of a predator attempting to lure in his prey.

A man walked up to them and started to speak. The smiling stranger turned, and whatever the man had intended to say died in his throat. He left so quickly he nearly backed into a table.

These were the men I was supposed to meet? Um, how about hell no and no thanks?

I should have turned right then and walked away, but the one with silver in his hair turned, his attention locking on me. He scanned me from head to toe, and I wondered if he realized it was an imposter poured into the lavish gown that bared my shoulders and made my breasts look like a dessert in molded cups.

The man didn’t smile or wave me closer, he merely waited, as though the possibility that I might not close the distance never occurred to him.

Alina, I am going to have a serious conversation about boundaries when we get home. Until then, I squared my shoulders and moved toward the trio. Alina swore it was important and nothing to worry about. She couldn’t stand them up, blah, blah, blah. I’d been listening to her go on about this for a week. That’s how long it had taken her to convince me. I should have said no.

“You came.” The man’s voice was deep and quiet, without a hint of surprise.

I curled my right thumb against my ring finger and flicked my nail over the plain silver band I’d worn since Mom gave it to me on my eighteenth birthday, hiding it in my skirt to keep from revealing the nervous habit I’d had since childhood. The ring had only made it more complex, giving me something to focus on instead of digging my nail into my skin. “You doubted me?”

It wasn’t too difficult to channel my inner Alina. We’d been swapping places since we were children, and I knew I could maintain the facade for at least an hour before my inner introvert took control again.

The smiling one grinned wider. “We would never doubt a woman.”

“I’m going to assume that’s sarcasm, though you said it with such a straight face.” I tsked and took a flute of champagne from a server walking past.

“Ignore him.” The man in the silver and black mask leaned closer. “Ignore both of them. Not worth your time.” He winked, and I burst out laughing.

Delight danced in his eyes, but it was the older, more distinguished one who spoke. “Do that again.”

My laughter died instantly, and my chin jutted out as heat rushed into my face. I’d always hated my laugh. “Absolutely not.”

“Shame.” He inclined his head, removed the glass from my hand, and slid his around my waist. “Dance with me.”

“You’re supposed to ask.” But it was too late. He’d already swept me onto the dance floor. “Do women usually do everything you tell them?”

“All the time.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m beginning to see why Al–” My heart slammed against my ribs, and I cut myself off with a cough.

“Why what?” His arms tightened as we spun around, sending the room into a dizzying whirl of colors.

“Why anonymous masquerades are so popular.” I forced myself to breathe. This was fine. I could do this. “No names. No consequences.”

He whirled us back to the two waiting men. “You believe that?”

“I believe people shouldn’t be punished for wanting one reckless night.” I dropped my hands from where they’d automatically settled on his chest. “Especially under the guise of anonymity.” The black and silver masked one muttered in Russian, and I answered him with a smirk. “Tomorrow morning is a long time from now.”

His eyes lit up, and he pulled me from the other man’s grip. “Would you like to spend it with us?”

An automatic no perched on my lips. A night wasn’t part of the bargain I made with Alina. Then again, she hadn’t given me many instructions other than to have fun. Heat pooled low in my belly when gray eyes locked on mine, and I found myself nodding. “Yes.”