ce

harsh glow of

ows shooting up. "Why is a man who deals in absolutes invitin

ing a strictly professional boundary.

ances and territory. He probably just wants to finalize t

t, her guards tra

as the faint hum of the ventilation. I thought of how mercilessly Felix had rejected girls at the academy. He'd never given any

phone and contacted the owner of a local speakeasy. I needed to pi

into a dark, shimmering dress that caught the low light. I walked out onto the sm

ge microphone-and t

a dimly lit VIP booth right

silk of my dress offered no anchor against the violent thudding beneath. Forcing myself to

s and soldiers gathered around him, drinking heavily and laughing. During the

sed. "Are you still looking for that

rom business," Felix replied, his voice cut

throat. "What about the impending arranged marriage

e alliance will be honored. That doesn'

led. I missed

ng so badly I gripped the microphone stand with both hands to

de or not is irrelevant," Felix stated flat

ble distance yawn between my fragile civi