t when Maksimillian Vorobev leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth curving into that maddeningly confident smirk, she knew she was in dangerous terr

w jazz music underscored the tension between them. Maksimillian had cornered her earlier, his tone polite but firm as he s

was magnetic, yes, but there was something undeniably predatory about him. He exuded danger in a way that made her pulse quicken fo

ooth as silk. "This is supposed to be a celebration, i

Vorobev," Bianca said, keeping he

, like a cat amused by a cornered mo

t to the point. Maksimillian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the

ething incredible here. The gallery is thriving, your reputa

"Is that supposed to be a

is more connected to my... world than most people realize. High-value pieces, private auction

ou implying that my gallery is

orld is a dangerous place, whether you like it or not. And people

fused to let it show. "I don't need your p

reach his eyes. "Protection isn't what I'm

on. Bianca's heart raced as she tried to deciphe

simple business deal. "My collection is just the beginning. I have access to pieces most collectors co

tapult her career to new heights. But she knew better than to believe i

lly, I may ask for... favors. Nothing illegal, of course. Simply helping me faci

ished veneer, she could feel the trap closing around her. Accepting his help would mean tethering herself to a man whose

y, "but I'm not interested in mixing busines

s a flicker of something dark in his eyes, something t

ng myself," sh

aksimillian leaned back in his chair, his smirk returning. "Fair enough,"

threat, but she refused to back d

e soft but deadly. "It's

o see Brandon Meriwether, the DEA agent she had spoken to earlier, striding toward their table.

ere?" Brandon asked, h

moothly, rising to his feet. "Bianca a

, his posture tense. "Your kind of frien

simply offering Ms. Petit an opportunity. W

ksimillian and Bianca. "Why don't you take your opportu

his composure. "Careful, Agent Meriwether

Brandon shot bac

. She had the sinking feeling that this wasn't just about her or the gallery, it was part o

anca. "Think about what I said," he told her, his

away, his presence lingering in t

he gripped the edge of the table. Brandon turned

, though the words felt hollo

millian Vorobev doesn't make offers without expecting s

said quietly. "But

ed with concern. "Because he's not goi

o make sense of the storm brewing around her. All she knew was that Maksimillian's offer