table like a shark, a hopeful, idiotic grin on

n Damian's gut. He pulled out his

ston: *Stay a

grin vanished. He looked up, his eyes wide, and met Damian's sile

a sharp whisper. "Isn't she your ex-w

Blackwood," Damian said, the lie tasting like acid. It

ss down with a sharp

urmur something to Julian and move away from the table

cted work of art. The scars erased by the best surgeon in Switzerland. The weight melted away by a discipline born of he

e red a slash of defiance, and

itself from the shado

aning against the wall, arm

intense gaze, held it for a beat, a

sing around her wrist. His tou

ice a low, dangerous growl. "Yo

her expression one of mild distaste. She pulled her arm back. His grip,

hem. A cool, mocking smile touched her lips. "Mr. Blackwood

The formal addr

a word. You just disappeared. Did you

nfinished business? You mean the divorce

, the discomfort of a man c

e Seraphina was

gs never change." She paused, her eyes sweeping over him, cold and clinical. "But I have. M

was no longer the one waiting, the

yes. "And if I do

sington family's firm, will be in touch with yours. I'm sure they can find ways to m

used to holding all the leverage. Now, the board had been flipped.

ng the pretense of politeness. It was

wrinkle from her silk gown, turned, and walked away, her hee

his hand. He watched her go, her red dress a receding

as not