XAN

ill smell

m the Caldwell mansion to my waiting car. I loosened my tie as James slid into the seat beside

remarked dryly, sig

efiance in those wide amber eyes. The slight tremor in her full lower lip that she'd tried so hard to control. The way her

hing like I

ully curated glimpses into her life. Detailed reports from private investigators tracking her movements. I'd constructed a mental image o

better days. Her feet had been bare, for God's sake. No carefully applied makeup, no designer outfit,

served, interrupting my th

atures back into their customary mask of indiffe

tain she'll agr

t's gleaming towers reflected the sinking sun, glass and steel monuments to power and ambition. My power. My ambition. "Isabella C

he surpri

ouse sold from under him, and his daughter destitute." I turned back to James, who had been with me since the beginning of this vende

thing I had to a friend, he was one of the few people who knew the full extent of my

s," he reminded me. "Johnson is still

ean, simple. Unlike the complicated satisfaction

d irrelevant," I replied. "The acq

rchitectural dominance in the heart of Boston's financial district. The bu

rd meeting ahead. But as I walked through the gleaming lobby toward the privat

never ma

hock still evident in her eyes. It was the response I'd anticipated, of course. Expecte

rds linger like an

began its smooth ascent to the executive floor, I caught my reflection in the polished steel: tailored suit, c

roads. The clinical detachment of the police officer who'd informed me that my parents were dead. The

his wasn't about Isabella Caldwell. She was collateral damag

e fact that touching her,even that brief contact when she'd swayed on her feet,had se

here my assistant waited with the day's remaining sch

rdroom. "The Chen representatives arrived early. They're in conference room B wit

hwell his offer is still inadequate. Schedule a call for tomorrow morning,e

tablet. "And will you be attendin

bers already assembled. Men and women who had learned through experience

aid. "I'll be ot

lackwood. The name change would be merely the fi

never been part of my personal ambitions. Relationships required vulnerability, and vulnerability was weakness. I h

o ensure he would suffer completely, watching his only child bound to the man he

This marriage would be a business arrangement, nothing more. Physical attraction was an

was waiting for fu

ific provisions for the Caldwell assets." I straightened my tie. "And contact that wedding planne

ned professional demeanor slipped for j

effectively ending the conversation.

ying away as all attention shifted to me. This was t

d began the meeting, part of my mind remained fixe

hat stood between me and the culm

Isabella Caldwell surren

uld finally begin to underst

y penthouse wel

ily, followed by several hours of work in my office. By the time I dismiss

anoramic views of the city and the Charles River beyond. I'd purchased it not for the prestig

owed my instructions precisely: clean lines, neutral colors, nothing unnecessary or frivolous. T

ing the city. Boston sprawled before me, a constellation of lights against the darkn

cause the alternative was unthinkable for someone like her. The question

self wondering about her reaction when she learned the full scope of why I'd orchestrated her family's downfall. Whether

houghts. Isabella Caldwell's feelings were irrelevant. She was a means to an en

llance report on the Caldwell mansion. The lights had been on in the study u

Isabella at her college graduation. Isabella at gallery openings, her work displayed prominently. Isabella jogging along the Charles R

ked on the painting I'd seen unfinished today. Her concentration was absolute, her movement fluid as she applied paint to c

y, uncomfortable with the

was incidental to my purpose. The fact that something about her had gotten under my skin du

t from James: Contract ready

g according to plan. By this time tomorrow, Isabella Caldwell would be le

ws of my bedroom, watching as the city slowly came alive with the first light of d

devil she didn't know over the de

justice for the family th