End Game

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Nate

I adjusted my tie for what felt like the tenth time, fingers fumbling with the knot. Out of the corner of my eye, I stole another look at Aurora in the passenger seat—and almost forgot how to breathe.

She was stunning. More than stunning. The emerald dress clung to her curves in a way that made it impossible not to stare, the rich color making her brown eyes glisten even brighter under the car's dim light. Her long red hair was slicked back into a sleek ponytail, every strand perfectly in place. It was elegant, calculated, so different from the girl who usually let it fall in waves or tugged it into a messy bun. Her makeup was flawless, her cheekbones sharper, her lashes impossibly long. Even her nails—acrylic, perfect, glossy—looked like they belonged on the cover of a magazine.

She was beautiful, as always. But tonight she looked... polished. Refined. Almost like a stranger.

"Quit staring," she teased, though her lips curved into a soft smile. "You're making me nervous."

"Sorry." My throat went dry as I forced the word out. "You just—" I paused, trying to find the right words. "You look incredible."

Her smile faltered, just for a second, like she wasn't sure she believed me. "Thanks. So do you."

I didn't. Not really. The suit felt stiff, the tie too tight no matter how much I adjusted it. I wasn't used to this—this world of wealth, pretense, rooms full of people who smiled like sharks. After last night with her parents, part of me wanted to get on a plane back to California and never look back. But I didn't. I stayed. I cleaned up, put on the uniform, tried to blend in. Sitting next to Aurora, though, I felt more out of place than ever.

"You okay?" she asked softly, her hand sliding over mine. Her touch was warm, grounding.

"Yeah." I nodded, forcing a small smile. "Just trying not to mess this up."

"You won't," she said with certainty, squeezing my hand. "We're in this together. Remember?"

I wanted to believe her. But as the car rolled up the long drive toward yet another sprawling estate, the scale of it all hit me like a punch to the gut. Towering columns. Windows glowing like a thousand eyes. Enough lights strung across the lawn to rival a football stadium. Sleek black cars lined the driveway, each one more expensive than the last.

This was her world. And no matter how hard I tried, I wasn't sure I'd ever fit into it.

The valet opened my door, and I glanced at Aurora again. She looked every bit the part—poised, polished, untouchable. My stomach churned with unease, but then she reached for my hand, her grip steady.

"Let's do this," she said, her voice calm, sure.

I didn't trust my voice enough to answer. So I just nodded, let her hand anchor me, and stepped into the lion's den.

Daniel was the first familiar face we saw when we stepped inside. He was leaning against the bar with Daphne draped at his side, a whiskey in hand and that trademark smirk already plastered on his face.

"Well, well, look who finally made it," he drawled, pushing two drinks across the bar—whiskey neat for me, champagne for Aurora. "Welcome to the jungle, kids. Rule number one: smile and nod. Rule number two: drink up."

Aurora rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched like she was fighting a smile. "Thanks for the wisdom, Daniel. Truly groundbreaking."

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice like he was letting us in on a secret. "I'm serious. These people? Sharks. They'll circle you, Nate, looking for any excuse to bite. So drink, keep your chin up, and play the game."