marble floor. She kept her voice pitched in that sweet

ut as if to touch Seraphina's arm, but stopping short. "It's em

t stand up. She stayed seated, her hands folded in

le were watching his benevolence. "An appointment? Here? Seraphina, be rea

ir newspapers. The security guards near the elevat

t. "She's my husband's ex. She's having a bit of a br

aphina. He looked tired. "Ma'am, if you don't have bus

hina insisted, her voice steady desp

n't see... people like you. We are her

rds the guard. "She attacked Ethan yesterday.

ra lenses looked like black eyes staring at her. The pressure

her fists. She felt

e a prob

ise like a scalpel. It was d

ors-the ones made of fr

horne st

uit that fit him so perfectly it looked like a second skin. His hair was dark, swept back, and his

er predator. "Mr. Thorne! We were just... handling a si

He didn't even blink in his direc

vements were fluid, precise.

to her chin, analyzing, dissecting. He saw the scuffed

ed?" he

rced herself to meet his gaze. It

his Patek Philippe watch. "My time is

sanna looked like she had been slapped.

Ethan as if he were a smudge on a pristine

er face flushed red. "But... s

e. "Slander in the lobby of a law firm. Bold strategy. I usually advise

"We can pay double whatever she's promised!

annoy me," Julian said flatly

and gestured toward the pr

ast a stunned Ethan. She didn't look at h

or, Julian followed. He presse

ing gap, Seraphina saw Susanna stomping her foot,

The elevator began to rise, the

ible taste in

ed up, startle

lack shoes," Julian said, lookin

as half-laugh, half-sob. "I'll k