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Which was a fair alternative compared to the life Leila lived now. But not Emir…

Leila positioned herself strategically near the wall, where she could observe the assembled guests. Her eyes immediately found Wolverstone across the room. He had not approached her yet, not that he should.

In his eyes, she was probably just a brief failed liaison after the way she’d rushed out of the ball following their short but fiery kiss.

Well, fiery for her. For him… it could have been just another night. Perhaps he’d already found a less fickle lady.

The idea shouldn’t have stung so, but it did.

Or perhaps he’d spent the entire night sick from her attempted poisoning and had figured out that she was trying to kill him, purposefully keeping her at arm’s length.

Either explanation didn’t bode well for her, but there wasn’t much she could do about it.

What if… if he truly was as dangerous as she’d been told, as skilled and vicious—and if he still harbored any feelings for her—perhaps she could talk to him, explain her situation, and persuade him to help her escape instead.

What if he could become her savior?

Her wolf.

Bozkurtim.

No.

She had to shake off the useless fantasy.

That was too much of a risk.

A risk that he’d say no. A risk that he’d say yes and then fail. A risk that they might succeed in freeing her but not Emir.

Too many risks.

She wasn’t willing to take any of them.

Her current plan was risky, too. But it was better to deal with the devil she knew… right?

She let out a breath, the uncertainty tearing her apart.

So, she did the only thing she could do: stay the course.

She watched Wolverstone intently as his gaze was occupied by someone else.

It wasn’t some widow ready for a tryst, oh no. It was Lord Northfolk. Or Northwalk. North… something. The portly lord who stood near the refreshments table.

His name didn’t matter as much as the fact that Leila had noticed Gideon watching him at Kensington’s ball as well. He reminded her of a toad.

North… Toad?

Perhaps that was a more fitting name for him.

Was he Gideon’s next victim?

She was determined to test her theory and use it as her final attempt to eliminate Gideon.

Her heart squeezed tightly, sweat beading on her forehead.

She had to do it. He was a threat.

More importantly, he was her last mission.