torm, Fredrick told her th

usting his cufflinks. "Some investor

ront of the mirror while a stylist fixed he

reflection. "That'

laugh. "At leas

d of house that didn't just show wealth but screamed legacy

wer this time. Inside, the air smelled like perfume a

rned imm

Women assessing her dress, her jewelry, he

rested lightly a

" he m

eplied, even though

pproached them with a wide sm

aid warmly. "And this

d calmly. "This

over her slowly. "You'r

litely. "Why does ever

se not every girl can carr

it alone." Cynthia

ened just slightly befo

ned closer.

imenting me" Cynt

greed. "S

ations flowed, but she could feel the un

sing business. Cynthia-Rose stood alone for a moment, holding he

look

tu

stood beside her. Confident smil

she repli

course. I'm K

r. She had seen it in bu

-Rose" s

e replied with

ng about his tone

quite a wave"

my intentio

s" he repli

eutral. "And what is your

ened slightly

ut w

n like you adjusts to t

ame way anyone does.

cond, then leaned a lit

tiffened.

ng is as stable as it

espond, Fredrick a

redrick s

smile still in place.

were." Fredric

en was subtle but heavy. Not

ne more time. "Enjoy the evenin

haled

that?" s

on" Fredri

arned

bo

ngs aren'

nge, but his eyes darkened sligh

to plant?" she

ce her fully. "

n caught he

She hes

not

softly, "is exactly what

arms. "Trust i

greed. "I

pect it to app

ved slightly

afraid, but because she was observing the way people addressed him. How

just wealth.

*

between them felt different. No

self well tonight

sted?" sh

es

I pas

her. "You di

k in her seat.

all nod. "Th

poke again. "Who is K

slightly. "A man who beli

wh

contracts an

w?" she

ves you are m

w at the moving city lig

isible" he

ot the sa

kness is something I hide.

lingered i

ot from fear this time, but from the weight of being

house, she stepped o

alled before he

tur

you" she said carefully, "will you

answer i

until he stood

he said quietly. "If I l

art sk

what is mine," he continued, v

s gaze. "An

softened

e said. "So don't let a

dded s

tairs that night, one

s, survival was not ab

wing when you we