THIRD PERSON'S POV (NARRATOR'S POV)

Kane didn’t miss the way Rhea’s eyes scanned the crowd the moment she reached them. Not in that casual I’m-looking-at-my-guests way... no, this was deliberate, like she was searching for something. Or someone.

"You look…" he hesitated, letting his eyes drag over her silk-drenched figure, "…like the goddamn queen you are."

She smiled, faint and distracted. "Thank you, darling." But her eyes were still scanning.

He leaned ...