Gr

e kind of event where champagne flowed like water and the smile of everyone present hid an agenda. Greg

knives hidden behind them. Tonight was no different, beautiful women and

ralled around his conv

secured b

the thought of Damian's icy resistance. The boy has everything but sense, which makes Gregory wonder where he got his senseless

rivals alike, his eyes caught someone unexpected, and he

e gown, elegant but modest, her hair packed up in a neat ponytail. She stood at the volunteer table

slow, graceful. And

thought,his lips pres

out her inte

though she clearly didn't belong among the wealthy elites. And for the first time,

t. She isn't l

flicker of unease on her face when their eyes met. She wasn't used to being stared at, wasn

lf with humility, and yet he could see the visible traits of strength in

, he thought with certainty. This one has the right kind of puri

ugging at his lips. And, he felt a flicker of s

sence,even in retirement, carried weight. People approached him with bright smiles, shoo

much attention to them, hi

ay of glasses with practiced ease. She offered one to a guest close by, bowed her head politely,

ory stepped forw

d him a glass of wine. Her eyes fl

ferent from the desperate ones he was used to. She gave him a small nod, then move

ows. The women in the hall were all polished and painted like ornaments. But

a sip. For the first time in year

umility that money couldn't af

his life's mission to wall himself off feelings. But Gregory knew bloodlines, and he knew women. And h

his E

that he had heard her whisper the name to

smirk crossing his lips. "Damian may not s