Chapter 6

　　The charity gala was held at the historic Grand Ballroom in the heart of Manhattan, a glittering temple of wealth and power. Crystal chandeliers dripped light onto marble floors. Champagne flowed. Women in designer gowns and men in tailored tuxedos moved like elegant predators.

　　Evie stood beside Aiden outside the entrance, the cool night air brushing her skin. She had chosen a floor-length emerald gown that hugged her curves before flowing into a subtle slit up one leg. It was elegant, feminine, and just daring enough to make heads turn. Her dark hair was swept into an intricate updo, a few soft strands framing her face.

　　Aiden looked devastating in a black tuxedo that emphasized his broad shoulders and commanding height. His hand rested possessively on her lower back as they stepped onto the red carpet. Cameras flashed. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

　　Scott siblings always steal the show…

　　Look at her dress…

　　He's so protective of her…

　　Aiden leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. "Stay close tonight, angel." His voice was low, meant only for her. The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down her spine.

　　Inside the ballroom, the atmosphere was electric. Vivian Scott found them almost immediately, elegant in a silver gown but with her usual cold smile. "You both look good," she said. Her eyes flicked to Evie's dress. "Though some might say it's a bit much for a sister."

　　Before Evie could respond, a tall, stunning woman with sleek auburn hair and a diamond necklace approached. Isabella Hawthorne moved with the confidence of someone born into this world. Her black gown was sophisticated and revealing in all the right places.

　　"Aiden," Isabella purred, extending her hand. "It's wonderful to finally meet you properly. Our parents have spoken so highly of a potential partnership."

　　Aiden shook her hand briefly, with a short nod. "Isabella."

　　Vivian smiled tightly. "Isabella has been such a delight. Single, accomplished, and from such a strong family. Perfect match for the Scott Empire."

　　Evie's stomach twisted, but she forced a sweet smile. "Nice to meet you."

　　Isabella's gaze slid to her. "And you must be the famous little sister. How adorable. Still in university?"

　　The conversation continued with surface-level pleasantries, but Evie felt every word from Isabella like needles. She kept touching Aiden's arm, laughing too brightly at his minimal responses.

　　Evie excused herself to get a drink, needing air. That's when Damien Cole appeared, looking sharp in a navy tuxedo. His eyes lit up when he saw her. "Evie. You look incredible. I didn't expect to see you here."

　　"Damien," she said softly, glancing toward Aiden across the room. He was watching them intently.

　　They talked briefly, but Damien's compliments were bold. "That dress should be illegal. Save a dance for me?"

　　Before she could answer, Aiden was there. His arm slid around her waist, pulling her against his side. "She won't be dancing with anyone tonight," he said, voice ice-cold. Damien paled slightly and retreated with a forced laugh.

　　"You're being obvious," Evie whispered once they were alone near a marble pillar.

　　"I don't care." Aiden's eyes burned into hers. "No one touches you." The words sent heat flooding through her.

　　Later, the orchestra struck up a slow waltz. Isabella approached again, extending her hand to Aiden. "Shall we? Our families are watching." Vivian's approving nod sealed it.

　　Aiden hesitated, glancing at Evie. She gave a small nod, hiding the jealousy clawing at her chest. As Aiden led Isabella onto the dance floor, Evie's heart ached. They looked perfect together, tall, powerful, matching in elegance. Isabella pressed close, whispering something that made Aiden's jaw tighten.

　　Evie couldn't watch. She accepted an invitation from a businessman nearby, stepping onto the floor. The man was harmless, but she made sure they danced in Aiden's line of sight. She laughed at his jokes, let him twirl her. The emerald skirt flared beautifully.

　　Aiden's gaze locked on her from across the floor. His expression darkened with every turn. Isabella noticed and tried to regain his attention, but he was done.

　　Mid-song, Aiden excused himself from Isabella and cut through the dancers like a storm. He reached Evie, his hand closing firmly around hers. "I'll take it from here," he told the other man, voice leaving no room for argument.

　　The businessman stepped back quickly. Aiden pulled Evie flush against him, one hand on her waist, the other holding hers. They moved together seamlessly, as if they had done this a thousand times. The world faded. Only the heat of his body, the intensity in his eyes, remained.

　　"You're playing a dangerous game tonight, angel," he murmured against her ear as they turned. His grip tightened. "Dancing with him. Letting him touch you."

　　"I was just being polite," she replied, but her voice trembled with excitement. "You were with Isabella."

　　His hand slid lower on her back, dangerously close to the curve of her hip. "I don't want her. I never did."

　　The music swelled. Their bodies pressed closer than appropriate for siblings. Evie felt every hard line of him. Her free hand rested on his chest, feeling his heartbeat, fast, matching hers. Aiden's thumb stroked the bare skin of her back where the dress dipped low.

　　For a moment, the rest of the gala disappeared. It was just them, breathing the same air, eyes locked, the forbidden pull stronger than ever. Aiden's head dipped lower. His lips hovered near her temple.

　　"Evie…" he breathed, voice rough with restraint and something deeper.

　　She tilted her face up, lips parting. The almost-kiss from last night felt inevitable now.

　　But the song ended. Applause broke out around them, and reality crashed back. Aiden pulled away just enough, though his hand stayed possessively on her waist as he guided her off the dance floor. His jaw was clenched, eyes stormy.

　　Vivian watched them from across the room with narrowed eyes. Isabella looked displeased. But Evie didn't care. Her skin still burned where Aiden had touched her. The line between brotherly love and something far more dangerous had never felt thinner.

　　When they reached a quiet alcove, he stopped and turned to her. The distant music from the ballroom felt miles away.

　　Aiden exhaled shakily. He pulled her into a tight embrace, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other cradling the back of her head. Her cheek pressed against his chest, right over his thundering heartbeat. The hug was the kind he had given her a thousand times before, protective, safe.

　　But tonight it felt different. His hand stroked slowly down her back, fingers tracing the curve of her spine through the silk of her gown. The slit in the dress allowed his palm to brush the bare skin of her thigh when he shifted.

　　"You're driving me crazy tonight, angel," he murmured into her hair. "I wanted to pull you away from everyone, and keep you where only I can see you."

　　Evie's arms tightened around his waist. She nuzzled closer, inhaling his familiar scent. "Then keep me," she whispered. "I don't want anyone else looking at me the way you do."

　　For a long moment, they simply held each other. Aiden's hand continued its slow path along her back, dipping dangerously low before catching himself. His other hand tilted her chin up so their eyes met. Their faces were inches apart. His breath ghosted across her lips. The tension crackled like electricity, his gaze dropped to her mouth, lingered, then flicked back to her eyes with visible restraint.

　　"You're my everything, Evie," he said hoarsely. "I would burn the world down before I let someone take you from me."

　　The words sent warmth flooding through her. She rose slightly on her toes, their foreheads touching. For one suspended heartbeat, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them in this shadowed alcove. His fingers tightened on her waist, while her hands fisted in his tuxedo jacket.

　　Then Aiden pulled back just enough, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead instead. His lips stayed there a second longer than they should have. "We should leave," he said, voice rough.

　　Evie nodded, cheeks flushed, but she didn't step out of his arms right away.

　　He adjusted her dress carefully, smoothing the fabric with gentle hands that still trembled slightly. His arm stayed wrapped around her waist as they walked toward the exit, bodies pressed close, the weight of everything unsaid hanging heavy between them.