ve: Quiet

cy intended to stay cam

e, placed deliberately on the central table in the sitting room. Their scent was li

de them, her brows dra

dered by Mr. Blac

"Do you know

into a thin lin

le word w

nc

ey were beautiful. Perfect. Just like her public image. But beneath th

to the house?"

cy has... longstanding familiar

ngerously close

," I m

like them

hen shook my head.

ce her presence, I wouldn

d the flowers

xactly one second longer than n

u order

N

aw tightened almo

e it," he s

plied, unsure why I said

till even, but something dark flic

his voice. He di

made it mor

y," he added. "Meetings. Bu

ded.

ted to say more, then

alize how much of the room's gr

ck again b

, she did

aranda tree, her legs crossed elegantly, a teacup balanced perfectly in her hand. She l

ling when she saw m

teps away. "You s

sily. "This place has

sis was d

sts had unrestrict

ad. "Guests don't

ghtening in my chest b

you wan

ending politeness. "I want you to und

tha

said softly. "This mar

ed. "You don

o. Damien doesn't keep what

part of those

, her composure cr

said. "Unti

lingered b

oves you," she continued. "He chos

y. "Convenience doesn'

ink this is protection? No

pond, footsteps ec

mi

us together, his gaze

doing here?" h

smoothly.

ren't i

to be," she r

lightly in front of my body-not blocking my vi

nges now,

oftly. "You're

lied. "I'm b

d-calm, controlled, but d

he continued. "You will not speak to her privately. And you

im, stunned. "You

was immed

landed li

anished. "You'l

y decisions," he

ithout ano

ce fo

ds trembling despite my

have to do t

replied.

or a moment, nei

pset you?"

ed. "She

ftened-just

happen aga

dinner was qui

tween his thoughts and me. Every time I shifted in my ch

aring," I

ving," he

not reas

intent

ow what to

dence that felt anything but accidental. The room was warm,

ncy to escalate so

," Damien said.

wh

ntrol," he re

htly. "This isn't w

fully. "Tell me what

Stability. Saf

. "Distance isn't

skipped

now," he said. "Whether y

This was suppose

o simple,"

voice made me l

.. this

. "And I don't enter agreement

ou consider?" I

hing, but close enough tha

d eventually m

eath

w?" I w

oice low, "I'm ad

sent a shive

go," I sai

n't st

ed to leave,

az

aus

here," he sai

left, my he

staring out into the darkness, trying t

den lights fli

n stood at his window, watchi

ars of d

was s

of losing control terrified him mor