apping around her wrist b

cool, but his

or permission," he said, his v

d, she let her fingers relax in his crushing hold. She focused on

as a

d," she sa

me to a sm

ly, the door was wrench

xploded in

rk interior of the limousine. The roar of the r

Wal

here,

merger f

shed. The contempt evaporated. In its place was a m

r wrist to the small of her back. His fingers dug into her waist, propelling her

he red carpet. The hum

life, she had stumbled here. She had fallen to her knees, and

eady to hold her up or dra

s side. She looked up at him, beaming a smile of pure adoration that didn't reach her eyes. Her lip

iffened a

his lips barely moving. "Don't speak

of noise on either side. Janey wave

rand foyer of the estate, Austin released her imme

ing by the entrance. Ga

looking at Janey. "She speaks to

of bile at the me

n," sh

. He turned slowly, incredulous

ha

he lowered her voice, pitch

ou should be careful with the cobble

. The comment was innocuous, a pleasantry, but the timing-just after he'd put weight on his right leg-and the

space, looming over her. "Who

er head, exposing her neck in a submissive gesture that contradicted the s

eferring t

id. "At least until midnight

r. "I'm not just a placeholder, Aust

ching for the lie. He saw onl

throat. "Sir, the

contact. He adj

id, his voice devoid of emotion. "O

is limp barely perceptible,

idn't know she was holding.

ing in the hallway. Her reflection s

hispered to the empt