Chapter 1

ONE

DEVIN'S 18TH BIRTHDAY

T he hotel ballroom is a kaleidoscope of masks and shimmering gowns, a dizzying display of wealth and excess. But I barely register any of it. My entire being is focused on her—Devin West.

It's her 18th birthday, and this lavish masquerade ball is supposedly in her honor, but she's tucked away in a shadowy corner as if trying to disappear into the ornate wallpaper.

The soft amber lights catch on her emerald mask, highlighting those striking green eyes that seem to take in everything and nothing at once. Her gown, a deep forest green that makes her pale skin glow, clings to curves I'm finding impossible to ignore. Dark hair cascades down her back in loose waves, and I'm seized by the urge to run my fingers through it.

I adjust my own mask, a sleek black design that matches my tailored suit. This is my first major event since taking over the family business, and the Rivers-West connection is too important to ignore. But business, for once, is the furthest thing from my mind.

Devin shifts slightly, and I'm mesmerized by the graceful movement. She leans in to whisper something to my sister Olivia, her best friend. It's the most animation I've seen from her all night, and I find myself straining to catch even a whisper of her voice.

"Hawk," my uncle John and his son Thomas stop beside me. "Didn't think you'd make it."

I glance at them before going back to watching Devin and Olivia. "Why not?"

"This isn't usually your scene, cousin," Thomas says. There's a slight sneer in his tone.

I glance at them again. "You don't know me enough to know my scene ," I say, my voice dead cold.

My uncle clears his throat. "Yeah, well, when you have time, I'd like to talk to you about a project I think could be beneficial-"

I don't bother looking at them. "I'm not interested."

"You don't even know-" Thomas tries to intervene.

I glance at them again. "I said," I state with steel in my voice, "I'm not interested."

I dismiss them and go back to watching Devin.

"Mr. Rivers," a voice intrudes, and I tear my gaze away to find some faceless guest trying to engage me in conversation. I give him curt responses, my attention constantly drawn back to Devin like a magnet to true north.

She stands suddenly, excusing herself from Olivia. As she slips out of the ballroom, I make my decision in an instant.

"Excuse me," I mutter to the man still talking at me, not caring if it's rude. I follow Devin's path, keeping a discreet distance. The scent of her perfume—something floral with an underlying musk—lingers in the air, guiding me.

The hotel hallway outside is quieter, the sounds of the party muffled by thick carpet and heavy doors. I'm about to call out to her when I hear voices around the corner—sharp, cruel voices that make me pause.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is," a girl's voice sneers. I recognize it immediately as Regina Black, Devin's cousin and notorious mean girl. "The birthday girl herself, sneaking away from her own party. What's wrong, freak? Can't handle a little attention?"

I peer around the corner, and the scene before me makes my blood boil. Regina and two other girls—I vaguely recognize them as Brittany and Tasha—have Devin cornered. Their masks are pushed up, revealing faces twisted with malice.

"I—I just needed some air," Devin says softly, her eyes downcast. The tremor in her voice ignites a protective fury in me.

Regina laughs, the sound grating and cruel. "Air? Please. You're pathetic. Mommy and Daddy spent all this money on your stupid birthday, and for what? You're still the same awkward little nobody."

"God, it's embarrassing just looking at you," Brittany chimes in, her voice dripping with disdain. "Did you really think a fancy dress would make people actually like you?"

Tasha nods, a vicious smile on her face. "As if. You know what everyone's saying in there? That it's a waste. That you don't deserve any of this."

"Face it, Devin," Regina says, stepping closer. "You're nothing but a disappointment. To your family, to everyone. Why don't you do us all a favor and just disappear?"

She shoves Devin, hard. Devin stumbles back, her back hitting the wall with a soft thud. And something in me snaps.

Before I know it, I'm striding forward, my voice a low, dangerous growl. "Get away from her. Now!"

The girls whirl around, their eyes widening as they recognize me. Regina pales visibly but quickly tries to compose herself. "Hawk!" she exclaims, her voice suddenly syrupy sweet. "We were just having a little chat with our dear cousin. Girl talk, you know how it is."

"Do I know you well enough to be on a first name basis?" I snap.

"But, Mr. Rivers," she tries again.

"Save it," I snarl, cutting her off. I tower over them, using every inch of my height to intimidate. "Don't fuck with me, Regina. I'm not stupid. I heard everything."

Regina's fake smile falters. "Oh, come now, Mr. Rivers. We were just teasing. Devin knows we don't mean anything by it, don't you, Devin?"

I step closer, my voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "If I ever catch you or your little minions bothering her again, I will personally ensure that your lives become very, very unpleasant. Your family's standing, your social status, your future prospects—I can crush them all with a single phone call. Do I make myself clear?"

They nod frantically, mumbling apologies as they scurry away. I turn to Devin, my anger melting into concern as I see her trembling. She's pressed against the wall, her chest rising and falling rapidly with shallow breaths.

"Are you all right?" I ask, my voice softer now. I resist the urge to pull her into my arms, not wanting to overwhelm her.

She looks up at me, and for the first time, I hear her speak directly to me. "I'm fine," she says, her voice quiet but steadier than I expected. "Thank you, Mr. Rivers."

The sound of her voice catches me off guard. It's soft, yes, but there's a calm strength underneath I wasn't expecting. I find myself wanting to hear more of it, to uncover all the layers of Devin West.

"Hawk," I correct her gently. "Please, call me Hawk."

A small smile tugs at her lips, and my heart rate picks up. "Hawk," she repeats, and I decide then and there that I love the way my name sounds on her lips.

I notice her wobble slightly, the adrenaline likely wearing off, and make a quick decision. "Come on," I say, bending down to scoop her into my arms. "Let's get you somewhere quiet."

She lets out a small gasp of surprise but doesn't protest as I carry her to the elevator.

"I…I'm using the penthouse suite for the night," she says, her voice low.

I'm acutely aware of her warmth against my chest, the way she fits perfectly in my arms. Her head rests against my shoulder, and I feel her breath, warm and quick, against my neck.

In the penthouse suite, I gently set her on a plush sofa. "You shouldn't let them treat you like that," I say, taking a seat beside her. "You're worth so much more than their petty insults."

Devin looks down, fidgeting with the edge of her mask. "It's not that simple," she murmurs. "Regina, she... she knows how to hurt people. How to make you believe the worst about yourself."

"Look at me," I say, my tone gentle but firm. When she raises her eyes to meet mine, I'm struck by the depth of emotion I see there. And something else—a flicker of interest quickly hidden but not before I catch it.

I watch as her gaze drops to my lips for a fraction of a second before darting away. The attraction crackles between us, electric and undeniable. I lean in slightly, testing the waters, and I'm rewarded with a sharp intake of breath from Devin.

"You're beautiful," I say, my voice low and husky. "And strong. Believe me. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

A blush creeps up her cheeks, visible even beneath her mask. "I'm not—I mean, you're—" she stammers, and I find her nervousness endearing.

I reach out slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wants. When she doesn't, I gently remove her mask, then my own. Our eyes lock, and in that moment, I know with absolute certainty that she's it for me. There will never be anyone else.

I drink in every detail of her face—the delicate arch of her eyebrows, the smattering of freckles across her nose, the full curve of her lower lip. Her eyes, free from the mask, are even more captivating up close—a swirling mix of emerald and jade that I could lose myself in.

"Devin," I breathe, cupping her face in my hand. She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. The trust in that simple gesture makes my heart clench.

When she opens them again, the look she gives me is shy but unmistakably wanting. It awakens something primal in me, a need to protect her, to possess her. I want to wrap her in my arms and never let go, to shield her from the cruelties of the world while showing her pleasures she's never imagined.

But I resist, knowing she's not ready for all that yet. Instead, I lean in slowly, giving her plenty of time to stop me. When my lips finally meet hers, it's soft, chaste—a promise of things to come.

The kiss lasts only a moment, but it feels like a lifetime. Her lips are soft, yielding, and I have to summon every ounce of self-control not to deepen it, not to claim her mouth fully.

I pull back, watching her reaction carefully. Her eyes are wide, lips slightly parted in wonder. "Hawk," she whispers, and the way she says my name sends a shiver down my spine.