ion Gala was the social event of the Dallas season. The air was heavy with the aroma of gardenias and

urrounding her, her gown, a column of liquid silver, was stern and beautiful, with long sleeves and a high neck. In a

t her mind was like a besieged castle, looking around the room for one familiar silhouette. Her heart

ted a flute of champagne from a server who was passing

dare what,

s. He was the chairman of the board, her father's oldest friend, and her strongest defender. "All e

oy, Holt," in a tense voice. "H

"I'll admit, it's a pretty one. Prescott Global, meanwhile, has fared

rrived, a splinter fester

a change in t

tention swept toward her. She did not have to look. She was aware. Wa

Rhett K

same carefree insolence as his jeans. He walked through the gathering with effortless elegance, clapping backs and shaking hands. His

ane kept her back to him. His approach felt to her li

esc

spine, was directly behind her. Slowly, she turned,

were able to locate a t

eyes skimmed her silver dress, not in awe but in

ng too hard," with a fragile smile. "The 'man of the

delines. His presence was overwhelming as he moved closer. She could smell

o manage. I have no

calling it?" Around them, the gala's clamor appeared to subside. "Sloane, the games

night on bare skin, his hands in her hair, his m

erent person," in a huskie

t touch her. A ghostly touch. "They have identical eyes. Anywhere, I'd know them. De

warm against her ear. His courteous grin remained fixed on

e changed, Amina," he muttered. "Th

's silver armor, her cool-headedness, and the billion-dollar corporation. He was t

ne come up with a response. The ghost of her past danced behind him as he turned and vanish