Julie had brought an audience. A crowd of guests surged toward the terrace, her trembling voice leading the charge. "I saw a man drag my sister out here! Someone please help her!"
Piers froze. He fumbled to pull my gown back into place and stepped in front of me.
"Get out!"
The guests recognized him, and nervous laughter rippled through the group.
"Oh, it's just Mr. Stephens!"
"The lovebirds were having a moment. Ms. Harding, you had us worried over nothing!"
Julie's tears streamed freely. "I'm so sorry, sis. I was just worried about you..."
Piers saw right through her jealousy, and he couldn't hide his satisfaction. "That's enough. Don't cause a scene next time."
Before he could finish, Julie's eyes rolled back and she collapsed.
"Julie!" His pupils contracted. The cold indifference he'd worn while using me vanished in an instant, replaced by raw panic and desperate tenderness.
He didn't hesitate for a single second. He dropped me, scooped Julie into his arms, and charged out of the banquet hall. "Call an ambulance!"
The moment he let go, my gown slipped free and pooled around me. Bare skin flashed under the chandelier light.
I grabbed for the fabric, but it was already too late.