0

sper of

-

doing everything in her power to

h. She smiled politely at coworkers and kept her head down during meetings. She didn't vis

't mean he wa

how she suddenly got access to confidential campaign previews. In the subtle shift of tone

he office not

yone was sub

t on the Valentino brief?" came a voice beh

ed, eyebro

dressed in sharp black, and never one to whisper

smile. "Maybe they

. "Or maybe Xavier Louis

ected. She held Camille's stare. "Is

dering how long it'll take before the rest

ffened. "Wow. You

've earned my spot here. You? Still loo

a's voice echoed down the hall

gave her one last smirk before vanishing down the c

-

e, the air was coole

to sit, eyes flicking ove

capsule," she said. "They're fresh. Thoughtful. The edge of street

flushed with pr

e tablet. "And

throat t

He wants you to present at the interdepartmental strategy session next

"He... wants

d I agree. You've got

. Gratitude burned beneath he

an cautiously. "Ma

cour

s. About why I'm getting these o

harp. "Then they'll have to

a st

people assume I slept my way up more times than I can count. But truth

ed slowly.

nd Xavier before... I don't want to know. But I will say this: don't

eart full of a dozen different t

conf

-

unge in Le Marais. The view of the Eiffel Tower lit up the horizon, and

sipped hers like liquid

n ten minutes. Which means either you're

roaned.

Zara' me

eaned in. "It was befor

went wide. "

d. Had a night. Thought it was over. Then I

led low. "

e night. I didn't even give him my na

still w

didn't

s not

ed. "He's

ood thi

powe

you are, shaki

smile. "I don't kn

ust don't forget who you are, Bella. No matter how fine he is, no matter how high the st

out at the

time all day, sh

-

thouse, Xavier

ch time, he found something new. A hidden detail. A c

nts over the years. But this was the

more tha

s ligh

y close to walking st