risp and cold as the ice water she pictured thro

and's favorites, a place where deals were made and mistresses were never, ever

to the soft, feminine dresses Armand preferred her in. Her hair was pulled back in a s

s of amber liquid. He didn't stand when she approached. He just smirk

." His eyes roamed over her in a way that

eside her. She didn't look at the menu. She didn't look

e table. Cartier. "A little something from Arma

eting is to convince me to withdraw my terminati

family is old-world. Very Catholic, very conservative. Armand needs a c

orial whisper. "He can be even more generous after t

heart was pounding a hard, angry rhythm agai

hought she was considering the terms. He thought s

you get lonely, I'm sure some of us would be happy to keep

he final, unfo

all glass of ice water from the table and

ttered onto his plate. Water dripped from his perfectly

up, loomi

d shaking with a tightly controlled rage.

"First, my termination r

he thirty-day review, I will disappear from your l

refully-tell Armand to keep his dogs on a leash. Because if any of you ever speak

clicking a sharp, defiant rhythm on th

safely closed behind her did her body begin t

brate violently in he

e call and bloc

rant Fletcher. She knew who was

d?" Armand's voice was a furious sna

lor," she replied, using the formal address fo

you have, I gave you! I can freeze your accounts, your assets-I can hav

s quite specific. During the thirty-day review period, all assets are froze

never thought she'd read the fine print

e finally hissed, his voice dripping with menace. "I will have my lawyers tear you

in court," sh

she h

ealization that the docile woman he thought he owned had just become an unpredictable force. Outside the cab window, the city lights blu