sia'

oom f

He was tall, with broad shoulders, dressed in a dark

ed toward the center of the hall, past rows of

id, voice tight. "This is a private auction. You h

e said nonchalantly, not even b

ctioneer, his voice smooth like

I'm afraid that's not possib

I've settled the debts

read throug

y. "Every creditor has been compensated. The assets curren

e through

" he finished, "n

le

moment before letting out a

d mocking, mea

fed. "Some random man walks in and sudde

ard me, still laying h

ay hero for my ex-wife, her knig

ing into my palms, fury overriding

r. The attention of the room rediverted to m

e some special place

ng is here you have a backb

with me in front o

lips formed a pout as she grabbed my arm lightly, her nails

," she said loud enough for everyone to hear. "You don't need to hir

hing her away. She staggered back b

lifted an eyebrow, hi

his is pathetic. Do you even know

urst open again, interr

y across the floor as she made her way toward him,

fers are complete. All funds have been wired, an

held it

se. Do you really expect anyon

urned slowl

you?" she ask

sted his suit jacket. "Julian

sion was u

a small, inc

ross the silent hall, "if you're going to insult som

smirk f

ually toward the

Adrian

ers died

seemed to g

ace draine

at room knew exactly w

t powerful men

corporations twice the size of R

ship with them for years but ha

swallow

e to forced politeness in the span of a second. "I... didn't re

didn't

ite gown Marissa had doused in wine. My palm was raw from scraping the

ly looked at me, I sh

moved his

was smooth an

r my shoulders, the dark fabric hid

ers surged thro

an Virelli h

ow the Roma

hey da

enched hi

ly hea

cess what had just happened as I sl

was starin

ething else I couldn't

t my

ward the direction Adrian h

ruction but l

low

halfway t

et around me as I hurried after him, the murmu

him in the co

ai

sto

e turned

pression was cal

ible t

allo

my voice shaky but sincere. "Our c

t need to

ckered acr

ed just a

his pockets, his gaze steady

o anything