dangerous in a way that had nothing to do with his money. It was the way he looked at her, as if

refused

mber liquid in his glass, his gaze never leaving her. "Tell me, Elena," he said in

ed. Had she be

rves behind a cool expression. "A career opportunit

lightly as if considering her wor

ghtly against the tabl

omach, but she kept her express

rmined to solve. "Because you don't flinch when I push. You

s tightened around the stem of her wine gl

at depends. Should I be wor

ow. She needed to shift the conversation befo

ng smile play on her lips. "I think you e

e dropping just a fraction. "On

he refused to let him see

rous game, and t

**

but as Dante escorted her outside, the tension b

y stepped onto the sidewalk. His driver was waiting, a sleek black c

oor for her. "Let

lt like stepping deeper into his world-

g would rais

slid into the backseat, D

e engine. The scent of expensive leather and Dante's cologne fil

urred past the windows, neon lights casting shifting patterns

keep your gua

, meeting his gaze. "Do you

in amusement. "Onl

in her lap. "And what exac

head, studying

saying things that felt heavier than the words themselves a

e back to the window.

tart going through th

erself that Dante Vasquez wa

toni

eenly aware of the

te everything, a p

**

uilding. The soft glow of streetlights cast long shadows ac

ng for the handle, glancing a

"Are you going to pretend th

kept her voice steady. "I

is presence overwhelming in the confined space. "I don't believe in coincidences.

orced a small smile. "Maybe you'

, dangerous. "I never

Then, finally, Elena pulled the door handl

n back as the

e walked up to her building. She had

Vasquez wa

might just lose this game befor

*

na locked the door behind

on the strap as she stared at the flash drive tucked

about he

really happ

The screen flickered as the files loaded, rows

scrolled. Contracts. Fina

en she

t marked

text was dense, and filled with legal jargon

rd Ca

ther's

ds clenched

Hotels had been involved in what

e read, absorbed in every detail. Every c

oise outside her win

ved against

art lu

was watc

d her laptop shut. She stepped toward the window,

below was e

easy feeli

getting

n't want her to