normalcy of New York is for the best.

Isn’t it?

Chapter Fifty-Six Sloane

The Art en Ciel.

I have no idea what it is, but the other yachts in the marina are either out to sea or in the docks, filled with people celebrating and having fun. Obviously, Magnus is not the only one celebrating this evening.

The air is balmy, and the night is alive around me. I can hear the excitement on the Mako before I even step foot out of the car to board the yacht.

I haven’t seen Magnus all week. I have no idea what nefarious plotting he’s been up to. He’s left me out of the loop, presumably for my own good. Still, it’s surprising how much I missed him.

Jan never got back to me after sending that message so, as expected, I’m left in limbo, wondering what’s happening on that end.

This will be my first time seeing Magnus since that disastrous fumble in his office. The laughter and music should be enough to put me at ease. Instead, I can’t help but wonder how he could be enjoying himself so much. Has he already gotten over me and moved on?

I’m in a black, sequined knee-length dress and black heels. Just for good measure, I’m in the diamond earrings Magnus “gifted” me. My hair is up, the way I suspect he prefers it.

At the top of the ramp, a staff member has a tray of champagne. I grab a glass and sip if only to dull my emotions.

As I wander ahead, I note that most of the attendees seem to be in their early twenties, enthusiastically enjoying the night of indulgence. They dance and drink and laugh and make out like the place is one big night club.

Even though I’m still on the right side of thirty for this sort of thing, I feel completely out of place. If this is what Magnus is into maybe, I misread him the whole time.

“Hey!”

My ears perk up, for some reason knowing this shout out is for me. I turn to find a young woman who I quickly recognize as Magnus’s sister, Estelle. She looks a little tipsy but ecstatic as she approaches.

“You’re Magnus’s…friend?” She gives me a suggestive look before laughing and, surprisingly, hugging me.

I stare at her with wary eyes as she pulls back to look at me, still holding both my shoulders.

Her face quickly transitions, and I worry she might actually start crying. “Whatever you said to him, thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” I say with a smile, surprised I managed to have this much influence over the man. I guess she and Magnus kissed and made up sometime during this week.

Speaking of which, where is the host of this damn party?

“Do you know where—”

“Estelle!”

She turns at someone who has shouted over me. I see the man she was with at the White Party, Giorgio, waving her over to a group he’s with.

“Oh, I’ve got to go. It’s so nice seeing you again, Sloane!”

I try asking where Magnus is again, but it’s lost in the loud music and the distance she creates between us as she goes over to join him.

“Looking for me?”

The voice isn’t loud or threatening, but I still jump in surprise before turning around to face the man it’s attached to.

“Magnus,” I manage.

Seeing him after only just a week leaves me breathless. He’s casually dressed in a pair of black slacks, a white shirt unbuttoned at the top, and a black jacket. Even still, he’s just so damn imposing. Sexy. Dangerous.

He stares down at me as though I’m a cup of cool water in the desert; like he’s gone days without drinking, and suddenly here I am.

“Let’s go someplace quieter,” he offers.

Before I can give an answer, he has my free hand in his and leads me inside. We walk up to a higher area of the boat, to a set of private stairs, where a large man who might as well be a bouncer in a nightclub stands at attention. Magnus guides me up the stairs beyond him.

“I’m glad you decided to come, Sloane. I had this area reserved just for us.”

It’s a small room right at the top of the boat. If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume it’s meant specifically for intimate little trysts like the one we’re having. The sofa faces a tiny outside deck. Artfully displayed on the table in front of it are a platter of oysters, a caviar bowl surrounded with the trimmings, sushi, and tempting little desserts of chocolates and bite-sized cakes and tarts. There is also an unopened bottle of champagne.

I sip from my half-full glass to calm the sudden accelerated beating of my heart.

The boat seems to move beneath us, and I jump in surprise.

Magnus laughs in a low, amused tone. “We’re headed to a more advantageous view of the show.”

I nod and take another sip of my champagne.

“You’re unusually quiet tonight.”

I swallow the sip in my mouth as I stare at him. A hundred questions seem to rotate like a merry-go-round in my head.

“Why haven’t I seen you all week?”

I know the answer, but I want to hear him say it.

Instead, something in his gaze darkens, and he sets his glass down on the table. He pauses to stare at it before turning back to me with an answer.

“I’m preparing to take care of Jan Vorster. I leave tomorrow.”

“You mean…kill him.” It’s a statement, not a question.

“Yes.” Magnus stares hard at me, those green eyes as sharp and hard as finely edged emeralds. I know he’s trying to read me, and for once, I can’t put up a facade.

I think about the man who seemed to stare right into my soul with cold, dead eyes. He killed Linus. He killed Fabian, the man who worked for Magnus. If I hadn’t turned out to be somewhat valuable, he would have killed both Theo and me on the spot.

“Good.”

Some kind of light seems to flash in Magnus’s gaze, causing those emeralds to burst to life.

“I knew you

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