PTE

EN'S

Adrian Voss had summoned me like a subordinate only made things worse. Voss was a parasite, fee

e table as though he owned the place. His tailored suit looked like it cost more t

eaning back in his chair. "Punc

the door behind me with a delibera

"Straight to the point.

y? This guy

rossing my arms. "Now get to

it your way." He leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. "I'v

kept my face neutral.

see, I've been doing a little digging. It's amazi

t buried it deep. "If you've

t's talk about that little acquisition your father orchestrated years

as talking about the Sinclair buyout-the same

t it?" I a

... irregularities may have occurred during that transaction. Documents we

e that smug look off his face. "You're reaching

ing, it looks like your family might have cut a few corners to seal

over him. "Allegations wi

o strike. "True. But what if I found proof? What if I decided

, but I forced my voice to re

me better than that, Damien.

tor, but he never acted without an agenda. If he had proof, he'

nt?" I asked, m

h deliberate care. "It's simple, really. I want a stake in your new project. You know, the one your father's so pr

st curling in my gut.

"I've got leverage, Damien. And we both

think you can bully your way into my business

whatever it takes to protect your precious reput

his face, but I knew that's exactly what he wanted.

ou think I'll give you anything. You want to dig up dirt on my family? Go ahead

smile faltered. It was bare

to threats," I said, m

omentary crack in his composure

Damien," Adrian sa

w what's good for

fcase and heading for the door. "You've got a week to reconsid

alone in the conference room. I took a

clair deal was troubling. If he managed to find anything concrete, it c

my lawyer. "It's Damien. I need y

mug face still lingered in my mind, making

way and stepped inside, the

I saw

g her legs. Her face was peaceful, her breathing slow and even

th you?" I muttered under

ws on her cheeks, and her lips-full, pink, and slightly parted-looked soft enough

ble, grounded. Rose, though... Rose was something else entirely. Her beauty was almost otherworldly, ethereal. Her tur

ured, shaking my head. "An

gently brushing the flour off her cheek. She stirred slightly,

mie

ave through me. My chest tightened, and for a brief, ridiculous moment, I felt l

myself, running a hand through my hair. "

there, uncomfortable on the c

gently. She was lighter than I expected, her head lolling against my chest. For a mome

it already is," I muttered,

mumbled something else, her lips moving softly agai

mie

ht through me. My grip on her tightened involuntaril

ose," I whispered, my

made-she hadn't touched it, apparently too tired to even get that far. I laid he

ed so peaceful, so vulnerable. It was a stark contrast to

running a hand through my hair. "You're maki

d something I couldn't quite catch. I clenched my fi

," I reminded myself agai

softly behind me. Once I was in the hallway, I leaned

ong with me?" I mutt

reath, and then, without thinking,

pacing back and forth. "You're a

e the image of her sleeping peacefully, her face relaxed and her lips

be a long day, and I needed to get some sleep. But as I lay in be

aid m