l

ck from the car. My grip tightened on my suitcase ha

y, keeping his hands visible on the steering wheel. "I'm sorry if I

ad spent countless dinner conversations ranting about him, his biggest competitor, the one man who co

val," I said, my vo

said with a wry smile. "But yes, our companies have been...

ach dropped. "How co

rowing his pregnant wife out in the middle of the night." His eyes softened with w

ether from cold or shock, I couldn't tell. The thin coat I'd grabbed dur

p me?" I asked suspiciousl

regnant women abandoned on the street. Maybe I think Adrian Blackwood is a bastard who deserves to face s

repeated, tas

pregnant, and you have nowhere to go. Let me offe

who probably saw me as nothing more than a weapon to use against my husband. But as I stood th

"Just one night, and then I'l

over to open the passenger door.

through the city, I caught glimpses of Damien in the dim light, strong jawline, intelligent eyes, expensive c

as we turned into an upscale n

, I have a guest suite. Yo

e Adrian's home was all cold marble and sharp edges, Damien's space was warm and inviting. Ri

-ceiling windows that showed the city sparkling below. "There's a private

quietly. "I don't kn

a. Just rest. Tomorrow we can tal

g, replaying every horrible moment of the day. Adrian's cruel laughter, Maya

oom, Damien talking to someone on the phone. I crept

to make decisions yet. Adrian really did a number on her." A pause. "Of cou

about using me against Adrian. I started to t

woman in that condition, no matter how much I hate Blackwood. When she's

wirling through me. At least he wasn't plannin

meals, giving me space, never pressuring me to talk about what had happened. His h

ird day, every

ipping through channels, when Adrian's face filled t

of reporters outside his office building. He looked perfectly polished, completely unaffected by everything

like she'd won the lottery. She was wearing a new necklace

bout your engagement to Miss Maya

ried as soon as my divorce is final. She's everything I could want

wasn't, in

fe was pregnant when you separa

flash in his eyes. "I have no comment on unfounded rumors.

e room. My hands were shaking with rage, with humilia

the doorway, his face full o

ed, my voice hoarse fro

like he was approaching a wounded animal. "I

y voice breaking. "He made our baby so

sion serious. "Elena, I told you I might b

rs streaming down my fa

" Damien leaned forward, his eyes intense. "But everyone has weaknesses. Everyone makes mistakes. A

oy him," I said. I

But I won't do it without you. This ha

t the lies he was telling the world about our baby. A fire was building in my chest, some

I have to

u'd have to be willing to become someone Adrian never expected you to be. Someone str

n shot through my abdomen, so sudden an

instantly, his hands steadying

against my pale pajama pants. Terror fl

ered. "Something's

is arms with surprising strength. "Hold on, El

as the emergency room staff rushed me into an examination room, his presen

hair, examined me with gentle efficiency wh

were?" Dr. Williams asked as she

eks? Seven?" I gripped Damien's

es focused on the screen. After what felt like an eternity,

eed to tell you something about your pre