el –

of the room with that

edictable-but most of all, she was fire wrapped in silk. The

given h

w was how dangerous resp

nt. But my mind wasn't on spreadsheets or PR strategies. It was on her. The mea

a what she'd ju

steps ahead of everyone. And now, I'd just invited someone

anced at the glass of whiskey untouched be

I didn't want

to under

every reason to crumble chose, instead

ing to settle in. But by noon,

nock. Just

ally, I ra

leeveless black top, high-waisted jeans, no make

she look

e said, un

eed to go over details

Her room was already too neat, like she hadn't t

ule. Dress fittings. Press coverage boundaries. Q

she said, flipping t

ople who either want to court me or crush

lked thro

rty-eight hours ago. That's not

stilled on

se they weren't true, but because I saw th

e folder with

to psychoanalyze me, you'

few people. You're either going to become my bigg

ened. "Then why

me you've got more to lose

humorless. "You think

ser. "I think you're afraid

od inch

didn'

dn't

urled in the a

said finally, "but I w

ts don't last

with the folder in her hand

ffice, my phone buzzed. It wa

his morning. No return addres

g it t

th a sealed black envelope. M

pene

line written in car

akness. And we

twice, then

ke that, the

le security detail on Miss Wh

s, s

d out th

ent had starte

, it was

d to use he

the

y down before I l

d before I s

room, but I found her in the library instead-perched on the arm of the leather sofa, baref

t notice m

did, and jus

the reading type," I

peg you for the kind who collects

d inside.

h gentle care. "If this is going to work, Leonel, yo

ike a solution. I tre

you keep s

ow. "I haven't

y you really want me at that charity event. Who's go

. As a

breath and sat

three years ago just resurfaced. Publicly. And I n

as your w

etly. "Using you

immediately. Then

ing in this game. But I'm not your queen by d

at moment,

n't my w

was m