Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 2
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Capítulo 2: Chapter 2 A Night of Dangerous Liberation
Ivy’s POV
“Absolutely not, Ivy. I didn’t spend hours transforming you into a lethal goddess just so you could cower in my apartment.” Zoe gripped my shoulders with fierce determination. “Tonight, you’re not going to be the careful, rule-following Ivy who always plays it safe. Tonight, you’re going to be dangerous.”
I stared at my reflection one final time, barely recognizing the woman behind the golden mask. My bright green eyes sparkled with nervousness, but also something else—hunger for rebellion.
“What if someone identifies me?” I whispered.
Finn chuckled from the doorway. “That’s the entire purpose of a masquerade, Ivy. Anonymity is the only rule.”
“Exactly,” Zoe nodded with triumph. “For one night, you can be anyone you choose. No backstabbing ex-boyfriend, no manipulative cousin, no controlling parents. Just you, finally living instead of surviving.”
Her words struck something deep inside me. When had I last truly lived? Before discovering Brodie and Tiffany’s betrayal, probably.
“Fine,” I conceded, drawing a steadying breath. “One night of freedom.”
The Thorne Underground Auction was nothing like I’d imagined—and far more dangerous. The opulent ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers that cast shadows over masked figures in expensive suits and evening gowns, all moving like predators sizing up prey. Classical music drifted from a live orchestra, while champagne flowed like liquid gold through hands that undoubtedly held blood money.
“Jesus,” I breathed, clutching my small purse with white knuckles. “This is…”
“Intoxicating?” Zoe supplied, already scanning the room like a huntress surveying her territory. “And full of powerful men with dangerous secrets. Come on.”
She pulled me toward the bar, Finn trailing behind with an amused expression. After procuring champagne for us, Zoe fixed me with determined eyes.
“Drink,” she commanded. “You need liquid courage.”
I sipped the expensive champagne, feeling it burn down my throat like fire. “I don’t think I belong here, Zoe.”
“Nonsense. You just need to embrace the darkness.” She squeezed my hand. “Look around. Everyone here is playing a lethal game tonight. Why shouldn’t you?”
As the alcohol warmed my blood, I felt my fear slowly dissolving. Zoe was right. For once in my life, I could be someone else—someone fearless and untouchable.
An hour and several champagne flutes later, I was actually enjoying the dangerous atmosphere. Finn had swept Zoe onto the dance floor, leaving me to observe the deadly theater unfolding around me. The masks transformed everyone into enigmatic players in some elaborate power game.
“You look far too exquisite to be standing alone.”
The deep voice made my pulse spike. I turned to find a tall figure beside me, his face partially concealed by a sleek black mask. But what the mask didn’t hide stole my breath—full lips curved in a predatory smile, a strong jawline carved from marble, and the most unusual, piercing ice-blue eyes I’d ever encountered. A distinctive scar cut through his left eyebrow like a mark of violence survived.
“I… thank you,” I managed, cursing my sudden inability to speak coherently.
“Dance with me.” It wasn’t a request, but something in his commanding tone made my heart race with dangerous anticipation.
Before I could overthink it, I nodded. His hand found the small of my back, sending electricity through my body as he guided me onto the dance floor. His touch was possessive yet controlled, dangerous without being threatening.
“I haven’t seen you at one of these gatherings before,” he said, his voice like silk wrapped around steel as he pulled me closer. “I would have remembered.”
I smiled behind my mask. “How could you possibly know? Everyone’s masked.”
“Some people leave impressions that masks can’t hide.” His eyes—those incredible, cold blue eyes—studied my face with undisguised hunger.
The champagne made me reckless. “Are you always this forward with strangers?”
“Only the exceptionally captivating ones.” His hand tightened possessively on my waist. “And only when they look at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. Was I that transparent? Something about this man was magnetic, pulling me toward danger despite every survival instinct. Maybe it was the anonymity of the masks, or maybe it was the intoxicating scent of power that clung to him.
“And how exactly am I looking at you?” I challenged.
His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Like you’re wondering what it would be like to surrender to me.”
My breath caught. The music swelled around us, but all I could focus on was the heat of his body against mine, the intoxicating scent of expensive cologne mixed with something darker, and those eyes that seemed to see straight through my mask into my soul.
“Maybe I am,” I admitted, shocking myself with my honesty.
His smile widened, revealing perfect white teeth that somehow looked predatory. Without another word, he took my hand and led me away from the dance floor, through the crowd of dangerous strangers, and toward a dimly lit corridor.
My heart hammered against my ribs. This wasn’t me—I didn’t follow mysterious men into dark corners. Yet I couldn’t make myself stop. For once in my life, I wanted to taste danger.
The moment we were alone, he pressed me against the wall with controlled force, one hand cupping my face while the other claimed my hip. “Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his face inches from mine.
“Don’t you dare stop,” I whispered instead.
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