tripping. She walked toward the grand marble staircase that curved up to the

d the top landing, two massive bodyguards in identical black suits

is glass. The ice clinked softly against the crystal. He looked at her, his

croscopic nod from Brendan. Alex stepped forward and waved a hand at the bodyguar

lungs. She walked forward, stopping

d over her damp hair, down the front of her coat, and settled on the

er voice was louder than she intended, cutting through t

tilted his head back and swallowed the

side. Alex materialized instantly

a deep, gravelly baritone that sent a strange, involuntary shiver down Aid

r new predictive algorithm has a market potential of fifty milli

his platinum cufflink. The sharp, dismiss

to tilt her head back to look at him. The sheer size of him, the expensive scent

space between them. She dug her nails into her palms,

"I can give you the money," he murmured, his breath

r head up, her eyes narrowing with sus

lked to the edge of the balcony. He rested his hands on the o

e of his finger. Down below, surrounded by a g

t and hard. "I want to see exactly how greedy he really is. Get close to him. Test his boundaries. Consider this an informal corporate espionage

Brendan. Her eyes went wide with pure shock. The sheer absu

anger rushing into her cheeks. "Do you think I am s

n warmth. "It is a simple business transaction, Ms. Ruiz. I nee

lready bruised into her palms. Her chest tightened as a violent war raged inside her head

ced at his Patek Philippe watch. "Yo

a sleek black leather folder. Inside was a crisp, legally

ifeline she had been begging for. A thick, bitter

he pride down into her stomach. When she opened her eyes again,

. She tucked the leather folder into the deep inner pocket o

he corner of Brendan's mouth. It was t

t look at him again. She walked st

ld brass railing. Her eyes were locked onto the first floor,