e with a long garment bag draped over her arms. She didn't smile. She didn't introduce herself. She s

ell," she said quietl

Blac

our hu

"Adr

r. Bla

ss inside was stunning-deep emerald green with a fitted waist and a neckline that made my brea

ike anything I would'

h trembling hands. When I finally looked in the mirror, I saw a stranger again.

nd a voice from a speaker said, "Mrs.

quared my shoulders, and

how made him look taller and more dangerous. When his eyes moved to me, they didn't softe

late,"

ting him didn't feel

e going. I hesitated before slipping my hand into the crook of his elbow. His body wa

larger, darker, and colder at night. Every step echoed. Every turn reminded m

r of voices immediately filled my ears. The dining room was massive, the table long enough to

eath

an's

r Bla

at carried the same cold edge as his son's. But unlike Adrian, Victor didn't

aning back in his cha

dry. But Adrian, without even loo

wife," he

narrowed slightly, as if he sensed something wasn't

ine only when someone happened to look in our direction. Every touch was calculat

uiet whispers of upcoming mergers. I tried to stay invisible, but every now and then Victor's

ttling in?" he

e an inch ab

sting," I sa

ow, clearly unimpres

ting t

lt Adrian's gaze on

ied quickly. "Everything

didn'

t way. Stability is essent

ly lik

ounded like

but my shoulders stayed tense, every m

, a board member's wif

us, dear. First

ll nod. "Somet

d on my knee-not comforting, not gentle, but deli

my voic

s much differe

ight smile. "You'll get

didn't rea

ng on a glass floor, afraid of falling through. And the worst part wa

to leave. Victor approached us, hi

he said,

rted to walk away, but Victor's hand l

d like to speak to my d

froze ar

iffened.

held up

minu

s jaw tightened, in the tension rolling off him. Bu

he others had left th

r than I expec

g to be respect

are... eager. Ambitious. Strategic. But you..." He studied my face l

mmered agai

afraid,

loser, lower

has standards. And he does not appreciate surprise

d turne

ew my

uldn't

ove. I did

slightly-cold,

So yo

rian appeared in the doorw

id sharply, "we

last lingering look

r n

hard enough to hurt, but

?" he demanded once the

ispered. "He wa

ut w

d softly. "A

kened. A muscle i

's off," he muttere

ropped. "Wha

ding, there was no anger in his eyes-only tension, calcul

e said quietly. "Be