handeliers hung above the crowd, casting lig

filled

ed, but none of

he edge of the room, a glas

der the lights, red like a d

loose waves, and

ry inch the pe

last night, she had been clim

scanned

new who she w

n she s

Ka

lm, and

crowd like he owned

nd his gray eyes were colde

up of older businessmen

t, and time s

ist in her chest, par

hange, but she could tel

he thought he m

began walkin

ightened arou

ed softly,

Montgo

and quiet, exactly

ing her polite s

t you," he said. "Your fam

e rare," she

ee they were not lying when

htly. "You seem familiar

ent longer. "I was about t

art sk

h. "Maybe we both just

tly, though his eyes

at to say next, her mother a

easure. I see you ha

litely. "She is qu

ery said proudly. "Ava has al

ined them, ho

it. I have been wanting to spea

"I look fo

en them, preten

d was s

changed, Leo tu

ou care

. "I am not s

should," he said soft

, she though

d placed her hand

the center o

aside as they

hed lightly aga

ested gently

ce well,

ou," she

always th

to be,"

tly. "That soun

his gray eyes. "You do not kno

e said. "But

usic

stayed perfe

his heartbeat

etween them felt like a

kind of woman who enjoys

plied. "But I am g

g can be d

truth," she

n. "We have th

they stepped apart

nod. "Thank you for

he said. "Although I th

" she said, but her

aped to the ba

ze was cool ag

hts glittere

e that evening, s

iece and whispered,

ina said. "So, how di

ng," Ava s

angerous," Nina repl

ced wi

ed. "You

part of

ngly. "And did the act incl

oked at me like he was try

have to be careful, Ava. If he connects yo

red. "But there is s

thing

said. "And I cannot decid

her father was already talk

iendly, almost

ughed, shakin

omach ti

ward them wit

you and Mr. Kane seem

s sharp and reliable. I have a feeli

t heavy. "That

same calm smile. "Business m

too fast,"

but said n

ct, but Ava could feel Leo's

Ava sat in her car, s

glass looked calm, but

ted to avoi

suddenly

ther liked him, and she was th

s dan

idea how much h

unlight filled the

reakfast table,

th a smile, holding t

company is officially partn

e. "You

er father said. "Mr. Kane and I w

s will make our family stronger.

a smile.

, her stom

eant she would hav

and

s, events, and endless

er cup and stood.

owned. "You j

va said, already wal

he took a

iet, filled with

and whispered, "You

hone

message f

you see

her and Leo are

is bad. R

But maybe I

way and looked back

heavy, but her

not run

come t

ted to play, sh

of them c

his office, reading the

his mouth li

r Ava's picture printed

oins hands with Kane Ent

n his chair and

gomery. And this time, I will

reflected in his

rolled softly o

oth of them were standing