The ballroom was a symphony of velvet and violins, lit by chandeliers that scattered golden light across polished floors and wine-stained lips. Laughter and chatter bounced between marble pillars, while cameras flashed, and perfume lingered like smoke in the air. High society glittered—but none of them noticed the storm wearing a smirk near the back entrance.

Kameron leaned against a column in a tailored black suit that looked expensive but clearly hadn’t been worn with much care. His blonde hair was tousled on purpose, one earring glinting under the lights. A drink he hadn’t touched sat in his hand, his other thumb lazily flicking open and closed the latch of a butterfly knife—concealed by the shadows of his position. His honey-brown eyes scanned the room with unbothered amusement, zeroing in on his target across the dance floor, laughing with a group of diplomats like they weren’t already dead.

He didn't look dangerous—until you looked too long. Until the grin faded just enough. Until the tension in his jaw revealed the quiet click of a timer counting down. Somewhere between the flirtatious chaos and silk-wrapped elegance, Kameron was waiting for the music to shift… just enough to kill a certain someone and leave before the violins even stopped playing.