illed with the collective shock of the city's elite. Every gaze was torn between the Thorne heir, frozen half

s well-practiced corporate arrogance look like a flimsy stage act. He wore his custom-tailored suit lik

the rejected heir suddenly the

banister. "Security! Get this man out of here!" he roared, his voi

lroom, his gaze never once leaving mine. "Your security is slow, Thorne," he o

, finally found her voice. "Who is this?

t Duke with dawning recognition-the kind of

heavy with resentment. "You have no busin

e. That smile was the same one I'd seen three years ago, just moments before the kiss. He stepped past the tables, brus

descending quickly, driven by a pri

ke said, his voice dropping to a seduc

ded to

e and the staircase, cutting off all access. "She is nothing t

provocative step closer. "Family that you loudly, p

Thorne Gala had officially become a spectato

my future was being decided by two powerful men arguing over a deal. I had

my voice despite the frantic hammer

g. He paused for a moment, an appreciative tilt t

ity. A diamond you didn't have the sense to hold onto." He gestured

acket pocket and flipped it open. Inside, nestled on the velvet, was a si

could hear the claim. "You shared a moment that I haven't forgotten. And while he wasted time on corporate pretense,"

smi

ired a majority stake in

ballroom. My breath hitched. My little

ht at me. "Your lease is paid, your loan is settled. Y

enging glint in his eye. "She is no longer t

the mezzanine, waiting for me

d, not in corporate fury, but in raw, animalistic jealousy. He shov

gain, and I will destroy your

on his lips. He glanced past Jason's shoulder at th

private security-marched into the room, forming an i

u may have rejected her, Thorne. But I have claimed her. And when a ki

of place in this modern, corporate setting, yet spoken wi

ding his home, Duke took the final step, placing his hand on the banis

asmine. The d

of Jason, or the dark, dominating claim of a man