Chapter 1

Can the dead come back to life?

Kaia Storm never used to think so. But now, staring at the man at the head of the poker table, she wasn't so sure.

He wore a black turtleneck, a cigarette held between his long, elegant fingers. Every movement was languid, yet carried an innate, condescending nobility that looked down on the world.

But it was his face. It was identical to her boyfriend, Kaelan, who had died in a car crash five years ago.

Someone across the table said something, and the man let out a low chuckle, casually tossing a chip into the pot. "Raise."

His voice was a deep, rich baritone, with a polished, East Coast timber—

It was like being struck by lightning. A violent shudder wracked Kaia's entire body.

She would never forget that voice.

In the five years since Kaelan's death, she had cried herself to sleep listening to recordings of it countless times.

Just then, someone noticed her. "Who's the girl? Been standing in the doorway for a while now. Kaelan, don't tell me she's another one for you."

Kaelan?

Kaia’s heart seized. She watched as the man slowly, lazily, lifted his eyes to look at her.

But his gaze was fleeting, a dismissive glance before he looked away. "Not mine."

He said it with the casual indifference one reserves for a complete stranger.

But the storm inside Kaia could no longer be contained.

The same face, the same voice, the same name… How could there be such a coincidence in this world?

"Kaia? You're here. Why are you just standing there? It’s freezing outside."

Her friend, Julian Croft, spotted her and quickly strode over, pulling her into the warmth of the brownstone.

After Kaelan died, Kaia had spiraled into a deep depression, drifting away from all her old friends. Only Julian had remained.

He knew she was all alone in New York, which was why he’d invited her to spend the holidays with them.

Kaia forced a smile. "I thought I had the wrong place."

Someone overheard and laughed. "The whole brownstone is Kaelan's. You can't get it wrong."

"Try saying that in front of my old man next time. I'd love to see him break your legs," Kaelan said, a lazy drawl in his voice. He pushed his cards forward. "Full house. I win."

The other three men groaned in unison. "Damn it, Kaelan! How many hands have you won tonight? Leave us some damn cigarette money, will you?"

Kaelan lit a new cigarette and stood up. "As if I care about your pocket change. Keep it. I’m stepping out for a call. Someone take my seat."

"I'll take it, I'll take it!"

Seeing his spot filled, he turned and walked toward the door.

As he passed Kaia, he didn't give her so much as a second glance.

Kaia clenched her frozen fingers into a fist, turning to Julian. "His name… is Kaelan Vaughn?"

Julian warmed his hands by the fireplace. "Yeah. We grew up in the same circles."

He gestured vaguely upwards. "The Vaughns have been in politics for three generations. He’s the only son, but he insisted on going into business. He’s a damn genius, though. You know that seventy-story Vaughn Corporation tower in Midtown? He built that from the ground up."

"But… why are you asking about him?"

Kaia’s lips tightened. "He looks… a lot like my boyfriend."

Julian understood almost instantly what she was thinking.

His brow furrowed, and his tone became serious. "Kaia, listen to me. He is not someone you can afford to get involved with."

Kaia said nothing.

She knew better than anyone that this Kaelan Vaughn was not *her* Kaelan.

Her boyfriend had come from a simple background, a world away from the social stratosphere this man occupied. Besides, he had died in a car crash five years ago.

But the resemblance was terrifying.

Just then, someone called Julian over to help with something.

He answered, but gave Kaia one last, worried warning. "I’m serious, Kaia. Don't do anything stupid."

Then he was gone.

Not long after Julian left, Kaia stepped outside anyway.

Under the snowy night, Kaelan Vaughn stood under the eaves, a smirk on his lips as he talked on the phone.

Seeing her, he glanced over and casually stubbed out his cigarette.

Kaia didn't approach. She just stood there, watching him, a silent vigil of longing and waiting.

She waited until he finished his call and walked past her, heading straight for the door.

The moment he pushed it open, Kaia acted on pure instinct, grabbing his wrist. "Mr. Vaughn, can we get to know each other?"

Kaelan looked down at the hand gripping his arm, a cold smirk playing on his lips. He called into the room without even looking at her.

"Julian, get your girl in line."