a's "C" looking like a hooked claw. She hadn't even been out of the building for twenty minu

om, dumped the bouquet into the trash can next to the CE

me that the world I'd just in

nd cold hard cash. By the time I hit the lobby, the transformation was complete. I wasn't

ke he was the eye of a hurricane. He didn't look up from his phone until I was fi

tion that seemed to settle in my lower back. "It's th

pped on," I corrected, sliding into the leather inte

and sandalwood. As the car pulled into the New York rush, Keon didn't speak. He just watched me.

rose from my bag and laid i

e flower, then back to my

I said. "Clara sent the

om the stem. He read it, a dark, amused hum vibrating in his chest. "She's efficient. I'l

ping as he leaned closer to me, the scent of h

d flowers, then I've made a very expensive mistake." He leaned back, his grey eyes turning to flint. "The restaurant we're

heavy iron door. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of searing steak

he wine the waiter had poured without ask

t and expensive. "I want to know the catch, Keon. You didn't jus

Vale has been skimming off the top for years, using Clara's father to hide the trail. I bought the firm to get

e not just buying a firm

. Someone who can navigate the system, find the hidden ledgers, and hand them to me. In exchange, I

made my skin prickle. "But you have to belong to me, Louisa. Professionally. Geographically. Compl

now a roaring fire. The way he said belong to

say no?" I

a job in a city where Clara Bennett has already blacklisted your name." He tilted his head, a lock of dark hair falli

ked at the black rose on the table and then at the man ac

thing," I said, m

ose. "Ambitious.

everything he ever wanted. I want him to see me with you and rea

ting. He reached into his pocket and pulled out

stood up, towering over the table. "Welcome to the dark side, Louisa. Tr

already waiting for you at your old apartment. He thinks he can talk you ba

on the keycard.

glint. "Show him the roses, Louisa

. As I stepped out of the restaurant and into the col

your door. We can

horns pressing into my palm. I didn't feel l