r nightstand. She reached for it groggily, expecting an email or one of the usual pre-ev

ing yanked bac

nce she walked out of his office after exposing the financial fraud he'd tried to bury. He hadn't

t a year of silence,

h Maddox now. That's bold

ped in politeness. How did he know? Was he watching he

nds wouldn't stop trembling. She hadn't told Grayson about Derek - about her past, the

oblem. Secrets had a way

per than usual, more put-together - a wall of lipstick and composure. But the

e, arms folded, watching her like a ma

she said, trying

e," he repl

morless laugh. "

d. "In my world, distr

om wen

head. "Somet

something about his voice - the unexpect

aid, tucking a loose curl behind her ear.

icked. He didn'

e a t

now," she

"If he is, you

question.

at. So instead, she simply looked up at him, grateful fo