Everyone froze at the sudden and familiar voice they all heard.
Even the music seemed to hold for a while. The guard's hand, which had been inches from grabbing Mira's arm, dropped to his side immediately.
Then the crowd of angry, whispering guests parted like the sea.
And there he was. Lucas Atkins.
He hadn't even shouted, yet his voice had carried properly across the room.
His expression was unreadable, but his eyes had some sort of silent warning in them.
Without looking at anyone else, he walked straight to Mira. He didn't ask if she was okay, neither did he smile at her.
Instead, he simply slid his arm around her waist and pulled her firmly to his side. It wasn't much like a hug but more like a claim. It was like a deliberate public show of possession.
At least, that was how it made Mira feel.
His voice was lower this time, but everyone was sure to hear it enough.
