n untouched in his hand. His pulse still thrummed from their brief but electrifying encounter. He ne

d have unn

d, it intr

as built on information, control, and power. Yet, in just a few minutes, Olivi

htened aroun

was

l like she had bee

ion He Ca

air, approached, wiping his hands on a clo

im. "The woman who was just h

head. "She's been coming here for a few weeks. Keeps t

his eyes. "And

son another drink. "She only talks

ged at Jason's l

bout Olivia's presence unsettled hi

just anot

print on him, and

od. As he walked toward the exit, the sound of the rain against t

self he wou

he already kn

finish

ing solitude rather than crowds. Jason made his way toward th

eet agai

aid it wasn't a w

a cer

de, running a hand through his hair. He leaned agai

were about to close-a

eath c

iv

the doors slid shut behind her. She wasn't surpr

y, turning to fully

curved her

studying her. "Then

hing darker-something intoxicating-filling the space b

fortlessly. Most people tried to impress him, to win his favor. Olivia,

it, he

e of yourself?" he asked

here was something about her that defied explanation, something that m

e if he wanted to

heir arrival. Olivia stepped out

he walked ahead of him. She moved like she belonged

ut to ask her more, Ol

he turned, looking up at him with an intensi

ember, do you?

rrowed. "Re

nreadable before she took a step ba

wasn't

ere was something about Olivia, som

he? That night, J

ce, her knowing smirk, the way she had looked

ad resources. Connections. People who could dig up infor