Play My Game - Lara Adrian Page 0,2

a moment ago.

I meet his concerned stare. “I’m just . . . surprised, that’s all.”

“Relax,” he says gently. “It’ll be fun.”

I wish I could be as enthusiastic as he is. Suddenly, I just want to go home. “Maybe you should go without me. You know I don’t like staying out late—”

“If you’re stressing about your exam tomorrow, don’t. You’re brilliant, Melanie. One late night isn’t going to derail your perfect GPA.”

“It’s not only that.”

My studies are important, but I’m also thinking about the other obligations waiting for me at home. My mother and six-year-old niece have been living with me since my older sister died four years ago.

Even though Mom says she doesn’t wait up or worry about me when I’m out, I know better than to believe that. And I try hard not to let her down.

Daniel’s only been to my place a few times, but he knows what my family means to me.

He gives me an understanding smile. “We don’t have to stay long, I promise.”

Reaching over he retrieves the invitation and envelope from my lap, tucking them back into his jacket. “And it’s not just a poker game tonight, Mel. It’s a chance to rub elbows with anyone who means anything in this city. With any luck, maybe I’ll clean out some of their deep pockets while I’m there. Besides, it’s not as if I could refuse when the host is none other than the firm’s biggest new fish, Jared Rush.”

Even though I’ve never met the man, my heart stutters at the mention of his name.

Famously talented and renowned for his dark, edgy portraits that seem to expose even his most beautiful and vaunted subjects down to the barest cores of their broken souls, Jared Rush has been a legend in the art world for a decade.

Although it’s been a while since he’s produced anything new, his paintings always command millions. Even if his art disturbs, few would deny its raw, seductive beauty.

Much like the roguishly handsome, rebel artist himself.

“The Gramercy Park project you told me about tonight. The bid for the boutique hotel and gallery your firm recently landed? Jared Rush is the client?”

Daniel slants me an amused glance. “Don’t sound so shocked. He doesn’t seem that bad, actually.”

I know I look skeptical. It’s impossible to live in New York City for any length of time without having at least heard of the arrogant artist and his work.

Or about his rumored carnality.

It is that reputation I can’t seem to ignore now, no matter how hard I try.

All the words I’ve ever heard used to describe Jared Rush fly at me in the dark of the vehicle as Daniel drives us deeper into the posh area of the city near Central Park.

Depraved.

Debauched.

Deviant.

Dangerous.

In the seat beside me, Daniel continues talking, oblivious to my growing unease. “You know, I’d heard Rush was a real asshole beneath a facade of good ol’ boy charm, but landing his account has been one of the smoothest deals we’ve negotiated at the firm. He practically handed the project to me when I met with him in person for the first time last month. Apparently, he’s investing some of his sizable fortune into entertainment ventures these past couple of years. Dance clubs, hotels, that sort of thing. Sounds like he knows what he’s doing, too. He just opened a new club in the Meatpacking District a few weeks ago and it’s been turning big profits from day one.”

“Muse.”

Daniel grunts. “What’s that?”

“The new club is called Muse. I went there with Eve and Paige one night while you were in Las Vegas.”

“Did you?” He seems taken aback by the news. His dark brows furrow slightly. “This is the first you’ve mentioned that.”

I offer him a smile, but it feels tight on my face as I toss his words back at him. “I guess it never came up.”

And as we turn onto East 63rd Street and continue toward the 19th century, five-floor brick-and-brownstone mansion at the address on the invitation, my sense of foreboding deepens.

I can’t shake the feeling that I’m approaching the edge of a deep abyss. We haven’t even stepped foot inside the door and I’m already desperate to leave.

Because something tells me if I’m foolish enough to enter this place tonight, I may not find my way out.

3

MELANIE

“Didn’t I tell you we’d have a good time?”

Daniel’s voice is a low, confident whisper beside my ear as he and the other players take a short break after the second round has ended.

And he’s right.