I'd been in. It was well past midnight. I was in bed, the lights off, pretending to

or, the rustle of his clothes as he undressed in the dark, the way he moved with a

r scent off him. The thought sent a new wave of cold fury through me. He

ht. The space between us felt like a mile-wide canyon. After a f

awake?" he

keeping my body

mforting but felt like a spider crawling on my skin. "I re

until he could secure my father's deal and di

against the back of my neck. I had to use every ounce of self-control not to flinch and pull away.

apology, then use a physical gesture to smooth it o

anym

ent to the guest room. I couldn't stand to be near him for one more second. I sat in the dark, my laptop open,

e downstairs, looking fresh and well-rested. He was dressed in o

used to make my heart flutter. "Morning.

g of black coffee, just the way he like

scanning my face. "You s

t's sleep he

ing serious. "Listen, Chloe, there's something I n

es, I thoug

t is

ith the zoning permits. The city council is pushing back. Your father's contact, Councilman Roberts, is the key. I was hoping... we

, a connection to my father's power and influence. The anger in

letting the silence stretch. I looke

able to do t

t's great, Chloe. You'd be saving

oice firm, "I want s

asn't used to me making d

want my old office back. I want to be involved in the Apex Project directly. I helped

n his head. The last thing he wanted was me in the off

d. "You've been through so much. The stress of a project

d fragility, against me. The same tactic

arp. "My mind is clearer than it's been in years. I'm a good businesswo

, closing the di

access to the Apex Project. In return, I'll call my father and ask him to speak to Councilm

one he hadn't seen in a long time. One he had forgotten existed. He was trapped. He nee

. "Fine," he bit out. "Fine. You can

uched my lips. "I'll c

didn't kiss me goodbye. He just turned and l

as just the first step. He thought he was letting me back in to secure a

e, but I didn't call

a private investigator I knew t

run a full background check on someone. Her name

years. I chose my outfit carefully: a sharp, black power suit, heels t

e. I was Chloe Miller, and I was

-