LYN

d shut behind me, severing th

the executive floor magnify the sharp, steady rhythm of my presence. The whispers in the open secretary pool died instantly a

levator, watching the reflec

arrow, but the tears did not fall. I swallowed the burning bile in my throat and forced my hands to unclenc

he garage and slipped into th

he glove compartment, pulled out a tube of matte oxblood lipstick, and painted my lips with deliberate, ra

edator forge

that vibrated straight through my ribs. I peeled out of the Key Corp underground lot

tly where I

teered the car directly toward the industrial edge of the city, toward an exclusi

ans, underground power brokers, and the city's most ruthless elite gathered. Brad had spent years kissing rings jus

tepping right in

ian doors. Two bouncers, both towering well over six-foot-five with shoulders like

titanium card from my clutch and hel

ed a brief, unreadable glance, and pulled open the heavy

al thrum that vibrated straight thro

lectric tension that made the fine hairs on my arms stand up. Low amber lighting cut through smoky haze. Men i

c, cutthroat, and

rned as I passed-barefoot, clad in a sleek black dress that hugge

ender, a slick young man with sharp reflexes name

I get yo

lat onto the polished bar

g effortlessly over the low pulse of the music. "And keep the bottle right h

account. He didn't ask questions. Within seconds, a heavy crystal tum

. The peat and fire burned down my throat, sharpen

te murmured cautiously,

ghtly, letting a slow, dangerous smile touch my lips. "

leaned over with an arrogant smirk, clearly looking to take advantage of an opport

t to touch my

I simply turned

my glass like he was a speck of dust. "I don't trade down to amateurs. My marriage is open, b

rassment, choked on his dri

uiet whistle behind the

very air around the corner of the lounge grew hea

VIP shadows on the mezz

es locked onto me

g aura of pure dominance that made the rest of the club feel like background noise. They were watching me. Not

ll uncertain who