tal pulls to the curb outside the towerin

ection against the biting wind coming off the Hudson River. She

and smells of expensi

front desk. Her legs feel like lead, but sh

to the receptionist. "I am

lawless designer suit, types on

the receptionist says, her tone dripping with po

she pinches her palm hard to stop the shaking. She pulls o

the envelope across the marble counter.

ion falters. She picks up the phone and dials a short extension.

st hangs up. She slides a slee

voice tight. "The private

past the security turnstiles and s

e elevator shoots upwar

beneath her, making her dizzy. She stares fixedly at the digital floor

rs slid

is waiting for her. Finn Vo

her scuffed shoes. He does not say a word. He si

stop in front of a pair

stures for her to enter. The moment she crosses

feels less like a workspace

er, looking out the floor-to-ceiling

rns a

Val

. His dark eyes lock onto hers, and the sheer physical wei

ck desk and sits down. He does not

er back. She walks up to the edge of the

ollars," Chantal says.

he envelope. His eyes r

gravelly rumble that vibrates in her c

. "Because in exchange

the room beco

and rips it open. He pulls out the business proposal she sp

augh. The sound sends a s

ssing the document back onto t

orcing the words out quickly before she loses her nerve. "Your stock is bleeding. A sudden, stable marriage to a woman from a

g. He stares at he

y, he s

He takes slow, deliberate steps until

p back, but she forces her feet to stay pla

The scent of him-sharp winter air and something dark

," Dell whispers, his breath brushing

ammers violently

back, refusing to break eye con

ash of something unreadab

commands. "I wil