there was a sharp kn

black garment bag. He was already dressed in a perfectly tail

es briefly sweeping over my face. "Pu

e bag and turne

I asked, unz

ear it,

the dress. My

y elegant, with a cowl neckline and a daring slit up

as if it had been made for me. That meant Lucas had gone out and bought it today, knowin

and pinned my hair up into an elegant twist. When I walked out into

y," I sai

tur

ore shattered completely. His eyes darkened, trailing slowly from the exposed ski

etched, thick a

suddenly feeling insecur

n he spoke, his voice

the back of the couch, walked over t

the car," he muttere

powerful Lucas Vance was trying to cover me up

Royce was charged with a strange, nervous energy. I could feel

irst. He offered me his hand, and I took it, stepping out onto t

me tightly against his side, his hand

in my ear, the endearment rolli

mil

ed. Ten of the most powerful men in the city were seated around the table. A

wless makeup, and a dress that barely covered anything

iding toward him. She completely ignored my existenc

e flat and cold. He wrapped his arm possessively a

went de

She looked at me, her eyes dragging over my dress. "Oh, I remember you. Yo

slap. My cheeks flushed,

, my voice steady. "But Lucas and I have found ou

r voice dripping with sar

us. For the first hour, the dinner was a masterclass in psychological warfare. Van

ip on my thigh under the table tighteni

ersation turn

s pleased with the merger. But we are still concerned about yo

eal," Lu

"She looks terrified. Maybe the pressure of being a billio

have made mistakes, but we

I said, my

e a gold digger, Maya. You ran when he had nothing, a

ryone stared at me, waitin

when Lucas's hand t

ly quiet. "I have warned you before.

th a shrug. "Why don't you prove it? Prove th

art s

rotective anger. He didn't look at me like a business part

sure," he

e with both hand

med mine, moving with a desperate urgency that stole the breath from my l

e board, Vanessa, the restaurant, all of it fa

breath coming in ragged gasps. His thumb brushed

Vanessa?" he asked, his

d with embarrassment and anger. She looked

ied, laughing and clinking glasses. But I couldn't focus. My lip

restaurant and stepped into the el

o that," I whispered,

ce gruff. "She was going to keep

e mirror of the elevator. His hands rest

brushing against mine, "I might ha

tching in my throat. "What happe

t me for a lon

ping to a low, dangerous whisper. "They stopped a

e elevator