safety. Bianca Petit felt like she was caught in the eye of the storm, teetering on the

esounding success. Patrons mingled, their champagne flutes glinting in the low, ambient light, while Bianca floated from conversation to conversation,

they bot

re room shifted to accommodate him. He was fire personified a burning, unpredictable, and impossible person to ignore. When their eyes met, the corner of his mouth quirked upward in that arrogant, s

erfectly tailored, Brandon was a calm, grounding presence. His movements were purposeful but restrained, his green eyes scanning the room with the precision of someone who saw e

o her in a way that felt inevitable. And now, they were both here, circlin

ven when they weren't near her, like opposing magnets tugging at her from across the room. Her pulse quickened a

t?" Maksimillian asked, his voic

r tone professional. She didn't trust herself to engag

esitation in her voice. "I must say, the exhibit is impressiv

ca replied, her guard up. "It

orld around you?" Maksimillian asked, his ga

pond, another voice c

interru

pockets. His expression was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge in his eyes as he glanced

dripping with mock politeness. "I wasn't expecting to see

ndon replied, his tone

s polite but their intent anything but. She felt like a pawn caught between

e. "I'm sure the gallery can accommoda

s eyes never leaving Brandon's. "I

ice calm but firm. "But I'd be careful,

aking," Maksimillian count

," she said, her tone sharper than she intended. "This

spoken truce fragile at best. Bianca felt a wave of relief as they retreated,

ct her from the storm brewing in her mind. By the time the last guest had left, Bianca was exhausted, h

r outside. His black car was parked at the curb, its sleek lines gleaming under the streetlights. He

interested in your games," Bia

simillian replied, his vo

frustration boiling over. "What d

what I see when I look at you," he said softly. "Strength. Passion.

t tightening. "I don't belong

attention. A silver sedan pulled up to the curb, and Brand

ing you?" Brandon as

ng her temples. "Not

oo focused on each other, their gazes locked in

Brandon said, his voice col

here was no humor in it. "I don't tak

ain. She did not know how to stop the storm brewing around her, but one thing was certain: the fire and i