c class. She dropped him off, ensuring the nanny Eleanor had insisted on hiring to "sup

uld never look at twice. A man in a dark suit met her at th

e untouched before him. In person, his presence was even more formidable. He rad

ed her with deep blue eyes that

s voice a low rumble. He gestu

re poised. She would

Beaum

ng. I've been looking at their assets. The Seacrest Bay project has potentia

out Kasey. He had

ady, "I can offer you more than just the public financials. I ca

rpened. "And

pany," she stated clearly. "Enough to give you a voice. Enough to make

ust you?" he ask

id it across the table. "My five-year projection and development strategy for Seacr

The level of detail, the foresight, the aggressive but calculated strategy-it was all there.

even admiration-crossed his features for

a compliment; it was a statement of fact

eight, reminding her of the nature of their alliance. It

ge of triumph. S

high spirits, loudly discussing a potential investor who had shown interest in

resentation," Kasey said, preenin

rom? And how did you address the environmental compliance issues in the third-phase zoning a

le

ndsided by the technical question. She had no idea what Chlo

Chloe, you're not on

wide and innocent. "I'm just curious. I'd hate to

ded like a slap. Kasey

" Eleanor snapped from

tarted fussing in his high chair, dema

She moved her chair closer to his, taking his spoon.

to speak, to reassure Kas

o, here comes

nge the subject, Chloe

Do you want some m

part of the doting nanny, her forced maternal act a bitter parody of the role they had assigned her. To an outsider, she looked l

frustration they couldn't voice. They had been outmaneuvered, sile

corner her in the hallway.

ing Leo up into her arms. "It's time

e stairs, leaving him standi

d that even trapped within these walls, she

dark estate. She was waiting. Waiting for the news of Da