Chapter 22017
I feel his presence before I see him. I’ve fled the crowded ballroom in the ostentatious O’Riordan residence for some fresh air on the huge terrace. It’s November, and the winds are biting—my rented tux doesn’t do much to ward off the chill and my face is going numb—but I ignore the shivering and clench my teeth together so they won’t rattle. The upside is that I’ve got the terrace all to myself, and I’m desperate for a minute’s peace.
It’s Mr. O’Riordan’s sixtieth birthday, and he’s celebrating it with the party of the century. He’s spared no expense; the food, the drinks, the flower arrangements, the dresses, the jewelry would all be worthy of a royal banquet, and it all screams “look how wealthy I am.” Even the roses are sprayed with gold, and I didn’t know whether to la
