mall parlor, her movement

ving behind a mind that w

g to subside in the face of her unnatural calm. In her slender f

still laced with uncertainty. "Should we appeal to your fat

mile on her face so bleak and

ss of scotch. The Beaumonts were the greatest obstacle to his ambitions. He will not help us. He wi

left them speechless. They were finally seeing the political animal

ne," Arden declared, her voice ringing with abs

and pulled out a slim, encrypted data drive. "Miss, this is the final directive from Mr. E

of all male heirs, full and sole control of all Beaumont assets, holdings, and the sovereign we

ly heavy in her hand. A final gift from her unc

the chief manager of the Beaumont sovereign wealth fund,

d suit, kneeling beside him. "I

t and motioned for them to rise. "The Beaumonts are not finished," she said, her voice thi

. She was trapped in the heart of their territory. She had the loyalty of two good men and, according to the drive in her hand, a

and defenseless. They had taken her p

a shield against the storm, his eyes holding a power that made the world bend t

nates, her mind made up. A plan, aud

de," she said, her voice a low, dangerous purr

t Cillian, her eyes b

rder as the head of

cord, not the gossip. I want intelligence. I want to know his doctors, h