moved

he phone before Dam

voice a low rumble of thun

screen. She hit t

ed too high. "Where are you? Did Donavan get you? The flight to Paris

ek. His hands were fists on his knees, the leather of hi

up. She looked at it

e," she said. Her ton

ed laugh. "What? Babe, stop joking. Put D

on't call this number again. I'm blockin

ou think you can dump me? After everything I did for

la

o the silver ice bucket sit

ter. The screen flickered green, then went

hat followed

. She shrugged. "I hat

e. He looked back at Elise, his gray eyes wide with genuine conf

stroyed it

rash," sh

er. The ride up in the private elevator was silent. Damian st

, Elise didn't go to her room.

his footsteps silen

d a painting. She punched in the code.

th hitch behind her. He

reached into the back and pulle

ding right there, too close. He sm

t this,"

xpression darkened. "I confisca

aid. "I bough

ire cufflinks glittered under the chandelie

"But we fought that day. You said I was wasting mo

d bought them for Eddie. But Eddie had wanted cash, n

She stepped closer to Damian

hed for

under his shirt. But he didn't pull

bric. Her fingers brushed the pulse point on

he whispered, looking up

looked at the cufflinks. He lo

He grabbed her wri

?" he demanded, his voice

she said. "I want to b

ned down. His face was inches from

oing to

he st

cifically, at her thumb. The black nail polish w

A flicker of distre

C

e couldn't handle the imperfection. Th

r hands back.

an. He turned away, running a hand through his

erl

ir

d call Valentina. Tell her to o

It's

I stu

, s

. He looked at her torn fis

g its usual arrogant composure, "you will look the part.

"Whatever yo

cream envelope. "Sir, a courier just drop

it. He rip

e looked at Elise. "Your father wa

e invitation from his hand. Her eyes were cold.

ng," Damian sai

id. "And you're takin

alon," Damian countered instantl

ea

o her room. As she tur

ded a computer. And she needed to make s