[Excerpt]

"You must be the Director," the five-year-old boy said, looking Bastian St. Yves up and down.

"I am," Bastian replied coldly. "And you are late."

"And you have dark circles under your eyes," the boy countered. "My mommy says men who frown too much end up lonely. Is that why you live in a big castle all alone?"

[Synopsis]

Everyone knows that Bastian St. Yves, the cold-hearted movie emperor, has only loved one woman: his late wife, Anaïs. For five years, the world believes he has mourned her, refusing to let another woman into his heart.

But Anaïs isn't dead.

She is hiding in plain sight as Agent Eve, a ruthless talent manager who has sworn to never let Bastian control her again.

When Bastian unknowingly casts his own son, who is a rude, genius five-year-old, as the lead in his new tragedy, he finds himself dangerously drawn to the boy's mysterious mother. She smells like his supposedly dead wife. She trembles when he touches her. And she hates him with a passion he doesn't understand.

Bastian is determined to uncover Eve's secret. But Anaïs is determined to protect her lies. Because she knows the truth: if the Tyrant of Cinema finds out the boy is his, he won't just want forgiveness...he’ll declare war for custody.

"Are you sure you're okay, Sacha?" Anaïs asked, hovering by the door. She was wearing a stunning midnight-blue dress that Adrian had bought for her, though her face was still covered by her signature black mask.


Sacha was lying on the massive velvet sofa, surrounded by plates of fries, sliders, and a chocolate fountain. Standing guard by the door was Tiny—Adrian's 6'5" bodyguard.


"Mommy, go," Sacha said, waving a fry at her. "Tiny and I are watching Godzilla. Tiny bets on the lizard. I bet on the monkey."


"Go have fun with Uncle Adi," Sacha commanded. "And if you see the 'Grumpy King,' kick him in the shins for me."


Adrian offered his arm to Anaïs. "You heard the boss. Let's go."


Anaïs sighed, kissed the top of Sacha's head, and took Adrian's arm.


Chapter 17 - The Ghost in the Wine Glass