the room stayed f

slowly fac

was that?

through his hair like the calm he'd b

uttered, "was d

short, disbe

ou just told that woman I'm your

ied her are our staff and also a client. I hadn't even expec

closer, ey

no. You c

d my gaze

efle

uietly. "You do

ause right now, it feels like you ju

you suggest so

ened slightly befo

inty," he said. "She saw you here.

row

how? What wo

humorless

lient. That was the onl

pau

ou are not in any way related o

red a

out a place in this family is after our name

s landed

ice d

tion... was t

ped closer

as to protect

lin

t off

head quickly. "Don't

replied. "You think she would walk

ere wen

uestions. She'll dig. And if you're just

hoosing his w

like how th

allo

. felt

moment. "You expect me t

't hesitate

es

red a

unbeli

pacing once, my

razy..." I

then said more quie

top

nner,"

em believe it. After that... we

d back

to lie to a room

st save this moment,

e stre

," I

ropped lik

oulders eas

or you. It is not that I intentionally ended here; I was given this card by the

was the hote

rt n

he res

xha

hen turn

w creas

snapped. "And I'm not doi

rked, just

ot

the bed to get was

ted until I was back, then he

meeting this way, are you?" Robert

nt, I beca

I do then?

the room phone

ll or too big for a 5'9" tall lady with a curv

the storm shif

tel ballroom shimmer

here w

pensive enough to whispe

elegantly in the beautiful red gown Rob

e... then softened as the wei

dn't

t subtle shift in the air th

ane murmured beside me,

, dozens

calculatin

tened slightly

keep staring?" I mutt

ys do," Robert

make it bett

e said. "Jus

spond, a voice cu

me, my

gged her son, who approac

his presence, but there was a you

oung lady, with a voice low and steady, gest

" the voice e

urn

Elena Voss, Soltren Group's

and was known throughout the company fo

e settl

t followed wa

eels clicking softly ag

weeks," she said, eyes still on Ro

ga

in the air lik

I couldn't spea

voice rem

es

out a so

she said. "Because l

ed to me again, slow and del

ly is your

at wasn't ord

eamed

his time his expression hardened, a

e igno

, close enough that only the thr

ooked stra

smoothly, "what do y

moving. I opened my mouth, but be

ask," she a

this one supp

ds slic

ous. This wasn't just a dinner. It was a battle